From garage start-up to global pharma combining strengths to advance regenerative medicine
Solving the biggest challenges in animal health is Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health’s top priority, and strategic partnerships play a key role in helping the company accelerate the next generation of breakthroughs.
Diversity of thought accelerates development, often creating the spark for innovation, whether it comes from academia or a small biotech company with specialist expertise, like Global Stem cell Technology (GST), developer of the first-ever registered stem cell-based veterinary medicine.
“Ours was a team of 15 that started out in the garage of a former bike shop,” says GST founder Jan Spaas. A show jumper and equine veterinarian, he was inspired to develop biological therapies after a traditional equine treatment for swollen limbs contaminated his stallion’s blood, disqualifying him from competition. Jan was so troubled by the incident, he decided to focus his equine passion on the development of new and safer therapies to resolve equine lameness.
“When we were looking for a partner to help us expand our reach globally, we received a lot of interest,” says Jan. “Boehringer Ingelheim stood out. They were the most scientifically driven and we shared the same values. When you feel part of the family before you’ve even joined the family, it’s a good sign.”
The collaboration was also a strategic fit for Boehringer Ingelheim. “This partnership couldn’t have come at a better time for us,” adds Dr. Erich Schoett, Head of Pet Therapeutics at Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, as the Company had recently introduced regenerative medicine and stem cell research as a new area of innovation focus.
Following an initial two-year partnership that culminated in the European launch of Arti-Cell® Forte, the relationship was cemented in July 2020, with Boehringer Ingelheim acquiring GST, making Jan and his team an integral part of Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health.
Paving the way for the next wave of innovation
Arti-Cell® Forte is a perfect example of how stem cell research can open new and exciting doors in innovation. When injected into a mildly or moderately lame horse, it prompts healthy stem cells to attach themselves to injured tissue and begin the regenerative process. Essentially, these cells help get the immune system back on track and, as of now, appear to cause no long-lasting side effects.
Regenerative medicine has the potential to provide solutions where traditional treatments fail and Stephen Martin, Global Head of Research at Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health believes the Company will be at the forefront of this wave of innovation in the veterinary field. “In addition to the success we’ve already had with GST, I believe we’re going to see many more benefits from this collaboration in the future. Together, we’re creating a center of excellence in this field – and we welcome new partners from academia and the biotech industry to create even more innovation and extend the opportunities for regenerative medicine and stem cell science even further.”
A marriage of science and agility
Jan considers the partnership a natural fit. “For both of us, it’s always been about leveraging the best science to protect animals,” he relays. “As a veterinary biotech start-up, we learned how to change and adapt quickly. We bring agility to the table, while Boehringer Ingelheim brings large-scale science, marketing, sales and regulatory experience.”
Stephen agrees, “both parties understand how we can make a bigger difference in animal wellness by pooling our resources. Diversity of thought sparks innovation and by working together we can achieve even more and go further in our ambition to improve the health and wellbeing of animals.” From the start of their collaboration, the two parties established a high level of trust in one another. “It boils down to values and sharing a common vision,” he adds. “This is what’s crucial in any partnership.”
Future outcomes
For animals and humans alike, stem cell technology creates endless possibilities for addressing the underlying causes of disease rather than simply treating the symptoms. At Boehringer Ingelheim, the synergies between Human Pharma and Animal Health enable both to bring the next generation of treatments to patients, both animal and human, sooner. Jan shares, “for years, we’ve conducted research, development, and production to treat orthopedic and metabolic diseases in animals. But now, we are initiating projects that include collaboration and knowledge-sharing with our colleagues from Human Pharma.”
The opportunity for stem cell-based solutions has come a long way since the first bone marrow transfusion in 1939, but much potential remains untapped, including how these cells might be used to treat diseases such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease. By harnessing expertise through the acquisition of GST and future strategic partnerships, Boehringer Ingelheim is confident it will be able to develop stem cell science that addresses more unmet medical needs in both humans and animals.
“Regenerative medicine may be the most transformative innovation in science yet,” says Stephen, “and we’re excited to be leading the way in discovering the next generation of breakthroughs in this field.”