Annual Report 2005 - Boehringer Ingelheim

In addition, our discovery efforts are addressing
several new targets for HIV therapy.
Oncology
Every year, more than 10 million people find
themselves grappling with the medical uncer-
tainties and emotional upheaval of a newly
diagnosed cancer. Fortunately, an increasing
number of patients benefit from surgery, radia-
tion and medicines, but still there is recurrence of
the disease. Thus, there remains a therapeutic
gap to be bridged with innovative and improved
treatments that enhances the quality of life.
The sequencing of the human genome mean-
while promises to accelerate the emergence of
new cancer drugs. While not specifically
designed for cancer research, no other area of
biomedicine has profited more from the Human
Genome Project than cancer biology, with deep
insights into the fundamentals of how gene
mutations and faulty cellular circuitry lie behind
the aberrant growth, invasion, and metastasis of
cancerous tissues in the body.
Armed with such insights, we have embarked on
a major drive to discover and develop innovative
medicines for some of the most common cancers.
Cutting-edge research conducted at Boehringer
Ingelheim Austria has resulted in promising drug
candidates moving into clinical development.
As presented for the first time at the American
Association for Cancer Research – European
Organisation for Research and Treatment of
Cancer meeting in Philadelphia in November
2005, three compounds originating from our
Basic research plays an important role for Boehringer Ingelheim.
At the Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP) in Vienna, Austria,
where the fundamental principles and mechanisms of living organisms
are analysed, about 200 researchers from all over the world investigate new
ways forward in science, novel approaches and targets, thereby enriching
applied research. The IMP enjoys a worldwide reputation in research in the
areas of developmental biology and molecular genetics.
Vienna oncology research centre have success-
fully completed phase I studies in various cancer
indications. A novel type of triple angiokinase
inhibitor, targeting endothelial cell receptors
responsible for cancer neo-angiogenesis, has
entered phase II of clinical development. A dual
kinase inhibitor targeting epidermal growth
factor receptor and HER2 kinase, has shown
promising results in patients with advanced solid
tumours. And further, a first-in-class cell cycle/
polo-like kinase 1 inhibitor was applied in a
single dose escalation study to patients with
advanced solid malignancies. In addition, we are
increasing our efforts in monoclonal antibody
based projects for treatment of both solid and
haematological neoplasias.
Metabolic diseases
Health authorities and governments have been
alarmed by recent epidemiological data suggest-
ing that metabolic diseases, including obesity,
diabetes mellitus type II and dyslipidemia, will
grow worldwide by a much greater extent than
previously expected. This has been identified as a
major health problem not only for industrialised
societies but also in, for example, South America,
India and China. Particularly worrisome is the
increasing prevalence of obesity in children
together with the onset of type II diabetes in
young adults. This disturbing fact leads to the
forecast that today’s children may have a lower
life expectancy than their parent generation.
We are therefore putting great efforts on the
metabolic disease field with particular focus on
diabetes type II, obesity and dyslipidemia.
Our strength in R&D+Medicine 1