Innovation in Oncology and Cancer Immunology
Cancer research is one of the cornerstones of our research portfolio and has resulted in the launch of two products for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. To address fully the cancer challenges of the 21st century we have formed a new, global research department dedicated to Cancer Immunology, headquartered in Ridgefield, CT, USA. This brings our deep scientific capabilities in oncology together with our global expertise in immunology, biotherapeutics and small molecule discovery, allowing us to harness the complementary talents of our scientists, to explore new ways of directing the immune system to profoundly affect the course of cancer.
Clinical research has shown that the current wave of checkpoint-centric therapies is beneficial in those patients with immunologically active and highly-mutated so-called ‘hot’ tumors. But they have limited efficacy in those tumor types that lack these properties, commonly known as ‘cold’ tumors. The objective for the next wave of therapeutics is to alert the immune system to the presence of these cold tumors, and this is where Boehringer Ingelheim is focusing. By exploring novel ways to ‘turn up the heat’ on cold tumors such as prostate, most colorectal tumors or pancreatic cancer, we will then be able to define novel combination approaches that provide additional benefit for patients.
Our Research Focus
We believe that fighting cancer on two fronts – attacking the tumor cells while at the same time boosting the body’s immune response against the cancer – will provide the most effective therapies for cold tumor types. Our research teams are exploring the potential synergies created by these two approaches with the aim of developing innovative combination therapies and accelerating the delivery of the next generation of cancer treatments.
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