Annual Report 2005 - Boehringer Ingelheim

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IMP scientists are at the forefront of discovery
defining fundamental processes of cell division
and differentiation in healthy and diseased states.
A collaboration started in 2001 between the IMP
and the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology
Austria (IMBA) added a new dimension to our
academic network. Intensified interactions with
IMBA began in 2005 in target identification
using model organisms.
The more than 3,000 scientists, technicians and
support personnel we employ in preclinical R&D
is complemented by about 2,100 clinical moni-
tors, statisticians and data managers in clinical
development and medical departments.
Respiratory diseases
Respiratory diseases have long been a major
focus area for Boehringer Ingelheim and we
dedicate ample resources for research in this field.
Our main objective in pulmonary research is to
provide still further improved treatment options
for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) and severe asthma. COPD is currently
the fourth most common cause of death, yet up
to three quarters of sufferers in Europe go
undiagnosed. This suggests a major unmet need
for treatment for this debilitating lung disease
which often afflicts smokers. Our worldwide
launch of tiotropium (spiriva®) provided a
medication to improve COPD therapy, strength-
ening our leading position in the bronchodilator
field. This is being build up by developing
bronchodilators with alternative mechanisms
which additionally offer the opportunity
for combination with our anticholinergic
compounds.
Extending our product portfolio to drugs that
target treatment of the underlying inflammation
and the tissue remodelling process are the key
goals in our COPD research. Inflammation in
COPD patients is provoked by an infiltration of
the lungs by macrophages and neutrophils. It is
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only poorly controlled by current, widely-used
anti-inflammatory drugs, such as corticosteroids.
Our research in asthma is aimed at new
mechanisms and immunological paradigms
which would allow us to replace or reduce the
doses of inhaled steroids by providing anti-
inflammatory therapy better tolerated by patients.
Another goal is to provide a new treatment for
specific syndromes with high unmet medical
need, such as severe, steroid-resistant asthma.
virology
Antiviral therapies for many serious, life-threat-
ening chronic and acute viral diseases are lacking
or are unsatisfactory. Our Laval centre focuses on
the discovery and development of new antiviral
therapeutics for the treatment of the human
immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and the
hepatitis C virus (HCV). These two devastating
pathogens have each emerged epidemically in
recent decades, afflicting millions globally.
Our HCV research is directed toward identifying
inhibitors targeting essential viral enzymes, such
as the HCV serine protease and RNA polymerase.
Such new mechanisms offer the potential for
new therapies with improved safety and efficacy
compared to current treatments of chronic
hepatitis C. Our clinical studies with an HCV
serine protease inhibitor provided the first proof
of clinical concept for this class of antiviral agent
and we continue to make efforts to exploit this
antiviral target together with other novel
approaches.
Our R&D activities in HIV aim at developing new
treatment options, especially for HIV patients
who have failed prior therapy due to the develop-
ment of drug resistance. Our research into the
rapidly growing resistance problem has identified
a promising new non-nucleoside reverse tran-
scriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) as a follow-up to our
existing HIV treatment viramune® (nevirapine).
Development is proceeding on this compound
which may become a treatment alternative for
patients who have failed first line NNRTI therapy.