Corporate Magazine 2012 - Boehringer Ingelheim

our businessesperspectives for better healthANIMAL HEALTH GLOBAL R&D –SEARCH FOR LEADING SOLUTIONSIn our global R&D centres, colleagues areworking on innovative solutions to serve ourcustomers best.FRONT LINE RESEARCHTeams of scientists from all over the world conduct advancedlevel research at eight major R&D centres to preserve and improvethe health of animals.High investment rate in R&DApproximately 450 scientists andsupport staff in R&D worked in theAnimal Health area at BoehringerIngelheim. This business continuallyinvests 11% of its revenues in R&D,which is one of the highest rates inthe industry. In 2012, this amountedto EUR 115 million.Vaccines and chronic carethe focus of R&DR&D at Animal Health focuses on twomain areas: improved vaccines for theprevention of infectious diseases in allspecies and development of treatmentsfor chronic diseases in companion animals.While the former aims at preventingdisease and suffering in all animals,the latter has the goal of improving thequality of life and enhancing the humananimalbond. In 2012, two major milestoneswere reached in treating epilepsyand chronic renal diseases in companionanimals.Epilepsy in dogsEpilepsy is a common disease in dogsand occurs frequently in the first yearof life. The disease leads to the animalhaving seizures (whole body cramps)and is highly stressful for the animaland its owner. Previously, only fewtreatment options were available andfor many decades veterinarians haveused phenobarbital and potassiumbromide to reduce the number of seizures.EUR 115mBoehringer Ingelheim AnimalHealth continually invests 11%of its revenues in R&D, which isone of the highest rates in the industry.In 2012, this amountedto EUR 115 million.Front line research 101