Pioneering New Medicines Through External Innovation

On Friday, 22 November 2024 Boehringer Ingelheim hosted the seminar and networking event “Unleashing Innovation at Boehringer Ingelheim: Pioneering New Medicines Through External Innovation” at the Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP) with 60 participants from the vibrant biotech ecosystem in Vienna. The event aimed to share Boehringer Ingelheim's unique approach to fostering external innovation and supporting startups and biotech companies.

The Boehringer Ingelheim team awards the Innovation Prize Vienna 2024 to Ablevia. From left to right, Maria Antonietta Impagnatiello (Boehringer Ingelheim RCV), Guido Boehmelt (Boehringer Ingelheim RCV), Oskar Smrzka (Ablevia), Florian Montel (Boehringer Ingelheim), Christof Paparella (Ablevia), Barbara Drobits-Handl (Boehringer Ingelheim RCV), and Mark Paul Petronczki (Boehringer Ingelheim).

The event featured an engaging agenda with various speakers presenting Boehringer Ingelheim's unique position as research-driven Pharma company. Boehringer not only brings novel medicines to patients in need, but also sees interactions and unique initiatives with the external life science ecosystem as key to success.

Mark Paul Petronczki, global head of RBB during his talk.

Research Beyond Borders (RBB)

RBB is Boehringer Ingelheim's 'radar' for the next wave of innovation. The RBB team explores disruptive ideas across the entire research spectrum, with over 80% of its projects anchored in external collaborations. Since its foundation in 2015, RBB has established around 170 partnerships with world-leading universities, academic research institutions, and biotech companies.

Learn more in this link.

Florian Montel, head of open innovation during his talk.

opnMe.com

Boehringer Ingelheim believes in the power of sharing and learning. opnMe.com is a dedicated open science initiative that provides free and open access to selected pre-clinical compounds for non-clinical investigation purposes. This initiative helps to maximize the potential for new drug discovery by providing the tools and scientific exchange of knowledge.

Explore opnme.com in this link.

Philipp Hainzl, Manager Startup Labs during his talk

Vienna Startup Labs

Located directly in the V ienna BioCenter, the Startup Labs of the Vienna Business Agency offer flexible and affordable bench space across a total area of 1,100 square meters. It includes fully equipped BSL2 laboratories and access to shared lab and office infrastructure. Users also benefit from first-class research infrastructure and expertise available at the Vienna BioCenter. This offer is intended primarily for start-ups doing research and development in the fields of biochemistry, biomedicine, biotechnology, genetics, molecular biology and pharmaceutics.

Access lab space in this link.

Innovation Prize Vienna 2024

The Innovation Prize Vienna 2024 was awarded to Ablevia Biotech. Ablevia, founded in 2018, has developed an innovative solution for the rapid and selective elimination of harmful antibodies without impeding the immune system. Boehringer Ingelheim will support Ablevia by providing free office and lab space and mentoring. The Innovation Prize, established in 2015, has recognized over thirty life science start-ups worldwide.

For more information check our press release.

The end of the event was marked by a lively networking session, providing an excellent opportunity for the attendees to connect and share ideas with our experts. This networking platform allowed entrepreneurs to interact with industry experts, potential investors, and other innovators in the life science community. Such networking opportunities not only foster collaboration but also help in gaining valuable insights and feedback, further driving the growth and development of these young companies in life sciences.