Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis treatment launched in Egypt
Boehringer Ingelheim, one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies announced today the official launch of its Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) treatment in Egypt, following the completion of the registration at the Ministry of Health and Population.
The announcement comes as part of a press conference, which was recently organized by the company with the underlying objective of raising awareness around the disease, its symptoms and the importance of earlier and more accurate diagnosis to prevent disease progression.
Prominent medical professors and pulmonologists at eminent universities in Egypt were present during the event, including Dr. Maysa Sharaf El Din, Professor of Pulmonary Medicine, Faculty of Medicine at Qasr El Aini University and the Former Head of the Department of Pulmonary Medicine at Cairo University; and Dr. Yasser Mostafa, Professor of Pulmonary Medicine, Intensive Care Unit at Ain Shams University Hospitals; and Dr. Mohamed Helmy Zidan, Professor of Chest Diseases Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University.
Dr. Maysa Sharaf El Din, Professor of Pulmonary Medicine, Faculty of Medicine at Qasr El Aini University and the Former Head of the Department of Pulmonary Medicine at Cairo University said, “It is of great importance to engage the local Egyptian community in awareness and educational initiatives that aim to shed light on the seriousness of IPF, as a rare disease that has an impact on around 5 million people around the world, and is the cause of higher rates of mortality that range between 70%-80% during the early years following the diagnosis process.”[1]
“IPF is worse than most cancers after lung and Pancreatic cancer, it also affects around 14-43 people per 100,000 population around the world. In addition, it primarily affects patients over the age of 50, and is more prevalent in males than females.[2],[3] Individuals with IPF may experience symptoms such as breathlessness during activity, a dry and persistent cough and chest discomfort with a progressive decline in lung function, which directly affects other internal organs. The cause of IPF is unknown, but risk factors may include smoking, lung injury, family history of the disease, abnormal acid reflux, environmental exposures and chronic viral infections. [4],[5]
Dr. Yasser Mostafa, Professor of Pulmonary Medicine, Intensive Care Unit at Ain Shams University Hospitals also shed light on the disease’s complications. He said, “Diagnosis of IPF is challenging, requiring a series of specific diagnostic tests with the median time from first symptoms to diagnosis between 1 and 2 years[6]. Initial misdiagnosis occurs in around half of patients, because symptoms are similar to other respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma and congestive heart failure.[7] The disease requires specific diagnostic testing such as lung imaging using a high-resolution CT scan.[8]
Dr. Yasser Mostafa added, “Early and accurate diagnosis of IPF is important to managing patients quality of life. Disease management options such as pharmacological treatment, supplemental oxygen treatment, cough management and pulmonary rehabilitation may help patients manage their condition and maintain their quality of life”[9].
Moreover, Dr. Mohamed Helmy Zidan, Professor of Chest Diseases Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University said, “There is a large need to find safe and effective solutions that help in changing how IPF is managed. Innovations such as Nintedanib is a preferred treatment option, which decreases the risk of acute exacerbations by 68%, and slows the progression of the disease by 50%. It further works towards maintaining patients’ quality of life, in line with the 2015 international evidence based IPF guidelines, jointly developed by an international committee including the American Thoracic Society (ATS), the European Respiratory Society (ERS), the Japanese Respiratory Society (JRS) and the Latin American Thoracic Association (ALAT).”[10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20]
“What differentiate this drug is its relatively few side effects compared to the old traditional treatments. It is worth noting here that patients with IPF does not respond to treatment with cortisone, but on the contrary studies have proven that treatment with cortisone and other traditional treatments in patient with IPF may lead to exacerbation of the disease.” Added Dr. Zidan
Dr. Yasser Farghaly, Boehringer Ingelheim’s General Manager and Head of Human Pharmaceuticals in Egypt, Levant, Iraq and North Africa (LINEA) region commented, “IPF is responsible for a considerable amount of mortalities worldwide. Boehringer Ingelheim works towards providing a holistic range of advanced treatment innovations that aim to enhance patients’ quality of life in Egypt and around the world. To that extent, the company, through its approach to research and development, a cornerstone in the company’s operations, developed Nintedanib, and launched it across the regions it operates in. Our strategy is focused on bridging unmet medical needs, especially those for patients who suffer from rare diseases, which require major investments in time and effort to continue providing the right treatment options. At Boehringer Ingelheim, we believe in the importance of raising awareness and educating patients and the general public on key diseases, early and accurate diagnosis.”
Farghaly also added, “For over 90 years, Boehringer Ingelheim has emerged as a leader in managing respiratory illnesses, having launched several treatments in a range of conditions including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, IPF and lung cancer.”
Egypt is of paramount importance to Boehringer Ingelheim. The company’s expansion plans include around 90 projects and local initiatives. Furthermore, it plans to introduce 15 new treatments by 2025, in an effort to grow the company’s footprint in successful milestones in the management of rare diseases.
As part of Boehringer Ingelheim’s efforts towards understanding patient needs, a recent poll, “When I think of IPF, I think of…” was conducted amongst a group of over 500 people affected by IPF, including patients, caregivers and patient advocacy group representatives. 42% of the respondents felt isolated while 49% felt worried when diagnosed with IPF. The poll shed light on the impact of the disease on patients’ quality of life and accessibility to most of their regular activities they used to have prior to being diagnosed with the disease. 18% of respondents believe in having a cure for their disease, thus lowering the chances of participation in activities such as travel, family events. Moreover, 39% of the respondents expressed their ability in enjoying family times and events, and 21% would plan trips and travels.
About Boehringer Ingelheim
Improving the health of humans and animals is the goal of the research-driven pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim. The focus in doing so is on diseases for which no satisfactory treatment option exists to date. The company therefore concentrates on developing innovative therapies that can extend patients’ lives. In animal health, Boehringer Ingelheim stands for advanced prevention.
Family-owned since it was established in 1885, Boehringer Ingelheim is one of the pharmaceutical industry’s top 20 companies. Some 50,000 employees create value through innovation daily for the three business areas human pharmaceuticals, animal health and biopharmaceuticals. In 2018, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of around 17.5 billion euros. R&D expenditure of almost 3.2 billion euros corresponded to 18.1 per cent of net sales.
As a family-owned company, Boehringer Ingelheim plans in generations and focuses on long-term success. The company therefore aims at organic growth from its own resources with simultaneous openness to partnerships and strategic alliances in research. In everything it does, Boehringer Ingelheim naturally adopts responsibility towards humankind and the environment.
More information about Boehringer Ingelheim can be found on www.boehringer-ingelheim.com or in our annual report: http://annualreport.boehringer-ingelheim.com.
References
References:
1- Raghu G., et al. An Official ATS/ERS/JRS/ALAT Statement: Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: Evidence-based Guidelines for Diagnosis and Management. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2011;183:788–824
2- Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. Prevalence. Available at: www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org/Prevalence. Accessed January 2015
3- Fernández Pérez E, et al. Incidence, prevalence, and clinical course of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a population-based study. Chest. 2010;137:129–37
4- Raghu G., et al. An Official ATS/ERS/JRS/ALAT Statement: Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: Evidence-based Guidelines for Diagnosis and Management. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2011;183:788–824
5- Ley B., et al. Clinical course and prediction of survival in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. AJRCCM. 2011;183:431–40
6- Collard H. R., et al. Patient experiences with pulmonary fibrosis. Respir Med. 2007;101:1350-4
7- Fernández Pérez E, et al. Incidence, prevalence, and clinical course of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a population-based study. Chest. 2010;137:129–37
8- Crestani B., et al. Interim analysis of nintedanib in an open-label extension of the INPULSIS® trials (INPULSIS®-ON). Eur Respir J 2015;46:OA4495.
9- Raghu G, et al. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2011;183:788–824
10- NHLBI, NIH. What Is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis? nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/ipf/. Accessed February 2015
11- Raghu G., et al. An Official ATS/ERS/JRS/ALAT Clinical Practice Guideline: Treatment of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. An Update of the 2011 Clinical Practice Guideline. Am J Respir Crit Care Med2015;192:e3–e19.
12- OFEV® Summary of Product Characteristics- January 2016. Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH.
13- Richeldi L., et al. Efficacy and safety of nintedanib in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. N Engl J Med 2014;370:2071–2082.
14- Costabel U., et al. Effect of baseline FVC on decline in lung function with nintedanib: Results from the INPULSISTM trials. Eur Respir J 2014;44:1907.
15- Kolb M., et al. Effect of Baseline FVC on Decline in Lung Function with Nintedanib in Patients with IPF: Results from The INPULSIS® Trials. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2015;191:A1021.
16- Raghu G., et al. Consistent Effect of Nintedanib on Decline in FVC in Patients Across Subgroups Based on HRCT Diagnostic Criteria: Results from The INPULSIS® Trials in IPF. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2015;191:A1022.
17- Cottin V., et al. Effect of baseline emphysema on reduction in FVC decline with nintedanib in the INPULSISTM trials. Abstract presented at the International Colloquium on Lung and Airway Fibrosis, Mont Tremblant, Canada, 20–24 September 2014. Available at: http://www.iclaf.com/conference/index.php/2014/ICLAF/paper/view/151. Accessed December 17, 2014.
18- Keating GM. Nintedanib: A Review of Its Use in Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. Drugs 2015;75:1131–1140.
19- Global Patient Poll Infographic