Partnering for innovation and growth
Dr. Frerich de Vries, Head of Business Development & Licensing, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, is a veterinarian, with extensive experience in animal health. He has held cross-functional roles in clinical development, pharmaceutical sciences and business development within Boehringer Ingelheim in Germany and the US over the past 15 years.
In this interview Frerich talks about why partnerships are one of the key areas of interest for Boehringer Ingelheim and where the company is looking to accelerate innovation.
Frerich, how important is partnering to Boehringer Ingelheim?
Very important. It was always important, but our new refocused animal health strategy aims at expanding our partnering efforts. Collaboration with partners who share our passion for improving the health and wellbeing of animals plays an essential role in helping us find solutions to the biggest challenges in animal health and deliver value through innovation. Partnership and diversity of thought actually enable us to realize even more innovation together.
Can you mention some of the areas in which you wish to partner?
Within our areas of therapeutic focus we want to work with a diverse range of partners and explore opportunities at all stages of research and development along with commercially available opportunities that complement our existing portfolio.
We have a strong interest in and commitment to opportunities in the cardiometabolic, immunology, inflammation and oncology space. In addition, pain and mobility, infectious and emerging disease opportunities are areas of emphasis. We are science-driven and our innovation approach builds on our track record of excellence in animal health. It also fosters synergies to accelerate the discovery and development of the next generation of breakthroughs.
And why should companies partner with Boehringer Ingelheim?
There are a couple of things I’d like to highlight. We are deeply science-driven and a family business focused on a long-term impact - we often say we plan in generations. In addition, partnerships we create are win-win agreements; they are based on openness, transparency and trust. We treat our partners as equals, listen to their views and welcome any contribution they can make.
What have you done in partnering since the launch of the strategy?
Many successful products in our portfolio originated from external partnerships, and we have accelerated our efforts this year. Some of the highlights include the acquisition of our partner of two years, Global Stem cell Technology, to strengthen our stem cell capabilities. In autumn 2020, we invested in a partnership with the China-based New Ruipeng Group, a fast-growing business that offers veterinary care, e-commerce and many other services to pet owners and the broader animal health market across China. We also joined forces with Fraunhofer IME to provide novel, microbial-based, natural products for development of next generation animal health antiparasitics and most recently announced joining forces with PetMedix to develop transformative companion animal antibody therapeutics.
What would you say to potential partners?
I’d like to reiterate our commitment to partnering and collaborating with innovative external partners from around the world. Jointly delivering innovative solutions has been, and will always be at the heart of what we do.