Research Manitoba and Boehringer Ingelheim Canada Partnership to Invest in Diabetes Care in Indigenous Populations in Manitoba

Winnipeg, Manitoba, November 30, 2020

Research Manitoba and Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd. are excited to announce a new partnership, with the creation of the Boehringer Ingelheim-Research Manitoba (BI-RM) Partnership Fund. The fund will support community-based research and innovation projects focused on improving diabetes health outcomes within Indigenous communities in Manitoba. Diabetes is a chronic disease in which the body cannot make or properly use insulin. Diabetes can affect many different parts of the body negatively, including damage to organs, blood vessels, and nerves. Eleven million Canadians are living with diabetes or prediabetes and the numbers continue to rise every year.¹ In Manitoba, estimates predict there will be a 36 per cent increase in diabetes over the next decade.² Indigenous Canadians disproportionately suffer from chronic disease and their common risk factors.³ With limited access to primary care services in Indigenous communities, the current COVID-19 pandemic could magnify health issues for these more vulnerable groups that require consistent and enhanced care.

Support from the BI-RM Partnership Fund will align with the province of Manitoba’s Shared Health Clinical and Preventative Services Plan, and Boehringer Ingelheim Canada’s PATHWAYS – Indigenous Health Collaborations, a partnership established with Bimaadzwin intended to empower Indigenous communities in improving health and wellness.

 “We are very excited about entering into this collaboration with our renowned partner, Boehringer Ingelheim Canada, to provide support for Indigenous-led projects to improve health systems and patient care in their communities,” said Sean McKay, Interim CEO, Research Manitoba. “This is the second of what we anticipate to be many collaborations through Research Manitoba’s recently launched Strategic Partnerships Program that aims to leverage relationships and funding to significantly increase the amount of research carried out in Manitoba for the benefit of the community at large.”

“By partnering with Indigenous communities, companies and organizations can play a role in advancing community health and wellness with respectful and culturally appropriate education, resources and support to Indigenous people in a community-driven way,” said Andrea Sambati, President and CEO of Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd. “As a family-owned company, our focus is on serving humankind by improving human and animal health. Addressing system gaps by partnering with stakeholders we can make the world healthier for current and future generations.”

“Partnerships like this help to ensure the inclusion of Indigenous leadership in the discussion, dialogue, and direction towards better health outcomes in our communities,” said Isadore Day, CEO, Bimaadzwin. “We look forward to working together with our corporate and government partners to empower Indigenous-led care for diabetes in Manitoba.” 

“Our government’s main priority is protecting Manitobans and this investment reaffirms our commitment to Indigenous communities,” said Cameron Friesen, Minister of Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living. “COVID-19 has highlighted the need for increased health care options for those in vulnerable populations, including those living with diabetes.”

“I applaud the work being done by Research Manitoba and Boehringer Ingelheim Canada to address the disproportionate effect of diabetes in Indigenous communities,” said Eileen Clarke, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Relations. “We are proud to be part of this partnership, that will improve the quality of lives for those living with diabetes, and prevent those in the future from acquiring the disease.”

About Research Manitoba
Research Manitoba promotes, supports, and coordinates the funding of research excellence and innovation in health, natural and social sciences, engineering and the humanities in Manitoba. Research Manitoba supports local talent development by providing research support to early career researchers and graduate students, along with fostering strategic partnerships to strengthen research and innovation in Manitoba.

About Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd.
Making new and better medicines for humans and animals is at the heart of what we do. Our mission is to create breakthrough therapies that change lives. Since its founding in 1885, Boehringer Ingelheim is independent and family-owned. We have the freedom to pursue our long-term vision, looking ahead to identify the health challenges of the future and targeting those areas of need where we can do the most good.

As a world-leading, research-driven pharmaceutical company, more than 51,000 employees create value through innovation daily for our three business areas: Human Pharma, Animal Health, and Biopharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing. In 2019, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of 19 billion euros. Our significant investment of almost 3.5 billion euros in R&D drives innovation, enabling the next generation of medicines that save lives and improve quality of life.

We realize more scientific opportunities by embracing the power of partnership and diversity of experts across the life-science community. By working together, we accelerate the delivery of the next medical breakthrough that will transform the lives of patients now, and in generations to come.

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.

More information about Boehringer Ingelheim can be found at www.boehringer-ingelheim.ca or in our annual report: http://annualreport.boehringer-ingelheim.com.

About PATHWAYS – Indigenous Health Collaboration, an Indigenous Health Policy Framework (IHPF)
The IHPF is a guideline policy that reflects the values of Boehringer Ingelheim, and details strategic objectives and principles to support ongoing investments in Indigenous health initiatives with indigenous peoples across Canada. The purpose of IHPF is to create innovative collaborations to support Indigenous community members who develop or are living with chronic illnesses. The principal partners Boehringer Ingelheim and Bimaadzwin initiated a process to co-create the IHPF based on core strategic objectives and principles that can be applied in diverse contexts.

References

1. Diabetes Canada (2020). What is diabetes? Available at: https://www.diabetes.ca/about-diabetes/what-is-diabetes. (Accessed November 2020).
2. Diabetes in Manitoba (2019). Available at: https://www.diabetes.ca/DiabetesCanadaWebsite/media/Media-Room/2019-Backgrounder-Manitoba.pdf. (Accessed November 2020).
3. National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health (2013). Understanding Chronic Disease and the Role for Traditional Approaches in Aboriginal Communities. Available at: https://www.nccih.ca/docs/emerging/FS-UnderstandingChronicDisease-Earle-EN.pdf. (Accessed November 2020).