Boehringer Ingelheim announced that patients and physicians may have several innovative type-2 diabetes treatment alternatives available in the coming years. At its Second International Research & Development Press Conference, Boehringer Ingelheim unveiled a pipeline of unique oral anti-diabetic compounds in phase-II and III, establishing the company in the type-2 diabetes arena.
The incidence and prevalence of type-2 diabetes continues to grow globally with someone dying every 10 seconds from diabetes-related causes. At a time when many pharmaceutical companies have been forced to reduce their investment in Research & Development, diabetes is the second new therapeutic field that Boehringer Ingelheim has entered within the past few years. In November 2006, Boehringer Ingelheim announced their cancer drug development programme, which has progressed significantly since then.
"With three new diabetes compounds with novel modes of action in clinical development, it is with great pleasure that we again can report on Research & Development progress at Boehringer Ingelheim," said Dr Andreas Barner, vice chairman of the Board of managing directors Boehringer Ingelheim, responsible for Research Development and Medicine. "Boehringer Ingelheim is scientifically, economically and intellectually well prepared to successfully broaden its diabetes pipeline to meet the needs of physicians and their patients."
At Boehringer Ingelheim's largest Research & Development site and the centre of excellence for metabolic diseases in Biberach, Germany, the research teams have been focusing on the discovery and development of oral anti-diabetic treatments targeting new principles, such as the inhibition of DPP-4 (dipeptidylpeptidase inhibitors) and inhibition of SGLT-2 (sodium-dependent glucosetransporter-2 inhibitors). These compounds reflect the Company's dedication to harnessing the most advanced science to efficiently control type-2 diabetes and its often fatal consequences.
"Our research into new treatment options for patients with type-2 diabetes began in 2001 and is now bearing fruit. This is particularly important since despite a variety of treatment options available today, patients continue to struggle with tolerability," said Prof Klaus Dugi, head Corporate Department, Medical Affairs, Boehringer Ingelheim. Boehringer Ingelheim Pipeline Compounds Diabetes BI 1356 (ONDERO)
Promising phase-II data presented at ASCO showed advanced NSCLC patients treated with BIBW 2992 experienced a high rate of disease control (87 per cent) and promising overall response rate (50 per cent). BIBW 2992 is a novel representative of the new generation of tyrosine kinase inhibitors. It is an irreversible inhibitor of both EGFR and HER2.
"As our researchers become increasingly efficient in progressing science we are able to improve and perfect existing classes as well as spearhead new classes," said Dr Michel Pairet, senior vice president Research, Boehringer Ingelheim. Additionally, Boehringer Ingelheim has initiated several successful ongoing collaborations and actively seeks new collaborations with external partners, ranging from academic institutions to pharmaceutical enterprises as well as start-up and small biotech companies, such as with Ablynx, Evec and Vitae Pharmaceuticals.
A Global Commitment to Pioneering New Treatments Boehringer Ingelheim owns a global Research & Development facility network of four major and two additional research sites located in USA, Canada, Austria, Japan, Italy and Germany. Discovery and development comprise seven therapeutic areas: Oncology, Respiratory, Cardiovascular Diseases, Virology, Central Nervous System, Immunology and Metabolic Diseases.
"Boehringer Ingelheim is deeply committed to progressing science through Research & Development," said Dr Manfred Haehl, corporate senior vice president medicine. "In 2007 the company invested 1.73 billion Euros in Research & Development, and added 400 new employees, bringing our total global headcount in Research & Development to 6,400."