Boehringer’s unique approach to innovation

For nearly 140 years, we have delivered innovative treatments across cardiovascular, renal and metabolic (CRM) diseases, oncology, immunology, respiratory illnesses, retinal health, and we’re on the cusp of new solutions in mental health.

To us, patients matter. Science matters. Urgency matters. Our approach matters.

A first for patients mindset

We focus on areas of significant unmet patient need. We invest in understanding the science and unveiling the biology behind targets so that we can move the right molecules forward and position them for the right patients. We take an open-minded approach to modality, starting with what the patient needs and harnessing biology to reveal insights that inform our decision-making. This allows us to design a diverse range of novel modalities and platform technologies, including small molecules, multi-specific antibodies, gene therapies, oncolytic viruses, cancer vaccines, proteolysis targeting chimeras, and more.

We also think in terms of human lifetimes, not fiscal quarters. This enables today’s science to discover tomorrow’s breakthroughs – within and beyond our current research and development focus.

We prioritize breakthroughs

As an independent company, we have the freedom to follow our long-term vision, which allows us to lead the science and create first-in-class breakthroughs that change lives. This can drive us to unexpected scientific innovations, such as our first FDA-approved treatment option for generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) in adults and pediatric patients aged 12 and older.

A rare and chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by widespread eruptions of painful, sterile pustules called flares that can last for days or weeks, GPP can lead to hospitalization, and even death. Due to GPP’s rarity, GPP often went untreated. As a result, many patients living with GPP sounded the alarm about the need for treatment.

Early in our research, the Immunology and Respiratory (I&R) department in Ridgefield, Conn. was focused on identifying potential new targets for treating inflammatory diseases, including plaque psoriasis. While preliminary findings suggested the interleukin-36 (IL-36) receptor as a target for plaque psoriasis, further assessment by the team pointed to the potential to develop the molecule for GPP based on the linkage between autoinflammation and alterations in the IL-36 gene. Additional exploration into this theory was successful.

While GPP wasn’t initially on our radar, these findings helped focus our research and build the right teams, which led to a breakthrough therapy for this patient population.

We look at patients holistically

We’re committed to pursuing treatments for interconnected CRM diseases. People living with obesity, diabetes, heart disease, chronic kidney disease, liver diseases such as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), hypertension, or stroke often have multiple, CRM-related diseases, connected by similar underlying pathologies.

We look at the whole patient and target specific pathological mechanisms to address the interconnected nature of these diseases, including metabolic dysfunction, inflammation, fibrosis and regeneration to restore organ function.

This holistic approach gives us the opportunity to take a broad perspective, prioritize the most promising avenues of discovery and create synergies across our research programs.

We recognize the importance of partnership

We know that continued innovation is key to discovering solutions for society’s biggest healthcare challenges and that working together with the patient community, leading scientific experts and institutions, and industry can accelerate that process. In fact, a significant percentage of our pipeline is anchored in collaboration with external partners – combining the strengths of our own research with our partners’ strengths. Listening to and learning from our partners, allows us to develop and grow together—and potentially bring forward game-changing treatments.