Accelerating innovation in health : Boehringer Ingelheim and the Vector Institute to collaborate on AI 

Burlington, ON, March 28, 2022 - Today, Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd., a leading research-driven biopharmaceutical company, announced a new five-year strategic partnership with the Vector Institute, an independent, not-for-profit corporation driving research excellence and leadership in artificial intelligence (AI) to foster economic growth and improve the lives of Canadians.

The new partnership builds an opportunity for collaboration between Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd. and Vector’s diverse community of AI experts as Boehringer Ingelheim looks to the future of health care by exploring potential AI-enabled smart solutions for digital therapeutics.

The partnership notably supports Boehringer Ingelheim’s overarching goal of bettering the lives of Canadians by improving health system challenges in diagnosis and patient flow and addressing the health concerns of First Nations Populations by resetting the benchmark on Healthcare Equity across Canada. Boehringer Ingelheim is currently engaged in the exploration and integration of disruptive technologies, including AI, to increase efficiency and enhance the patient experience.

“We are starting our journey in AI, and with AI based digital healthcare as a key part of the future of Canadian healthcare, Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd.’s new partnerships with the Vector Institute provides a strong foundation to grow from. Through partnerships we can create opportunities to find smart solutions incorporating AI that can better the lives of Canadians by improving system challenges in diagnosis and patient flow.” 
- Dr. Gabriel Kim, Vice President, Medical and Regulatory Affairs, Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd.

"Vector is thrilled to welcome Boehringer Ingelheim into our sponsor community to join us on the journey towards better whole-life health for all Canadians through the use of artificial intelligence. We are aligned in our motivation to improve people’s lives by addressing health system challenges. This partnership will help us make strides in ongoing efforts to implement leading edge AI research to improve efficiencies and care for all Canadians.” 
- Garth Gibson, President and CEO, Vector Institute

About Boehringer Ingelheim

Boehringer Ingelheim is working on breakthrough therapies that improve the lives of humans and animals. As a leading research-driven biopharmaceutical company, the company creates value through innovation in areas of high unmet medical need. Founded in 1885 and family-owned ever since Boehringer Ingelheim takes a long-term perspective. Approximately 52,000 employees serve more than 130 markets in the three business areas, Human Pharma, Animal Health and Biopharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing. The Canadian headquarters of Boehringer Ingelheim was established in 1972 in Montreal, Quebec and is now located in Burlington, Ontario. Boehringer Ingelheim employs approximately 600 people across Canada. Learn more at www.boehringer-ingelheim.ca. 

About Vector Institute

Launched in 2017, the Vector Institute works with industry, institutions, startups, and government to build AI talent and drive research excellence in AI to develop and sustain AI-based innovation to foster economic growth and improve the lives of Canadians. Vector’s Three-Year Strategy aims to advance AI research, increase adoption in industry and health through programs for talent, commercialization, and application, and lead Canada towards the responsible use of AI. Programs for industry, led by top AI practitioners, offer foundations for applications in products and processes, company-specific guidance, training for professionals, and connections to workforce-ready talent. Vector is funded by the Province of Ontario, the Government of Canada through the CIFAR Pan-Canadian AI Strategy, and industry sponsors.