Boehringer Ingelheim pioneers Virtual Research Institute

01-Feb-2001

Boehringer Ingelheim has established a pioneering Virtual Research Institute of Aging in the Pan-Pacific region. The institute, headed by Dr Haruo Sugano, the Honorary Director of the Cancer Institute in Japan, creates a virtual network of scientists selected from the Pan-Pacific area. This Boehringer Ingelheim initiative in basic research is intended to increase the knowledge base in biology in order to gain new targets for drug discovery and obtain access to innovative research programmes.

Dr Andreas Barner, Member of the Board of Managing Directors responsible for Pharma Research, Development and Medicine: “This unique project reflects Boehringer Ingelheim’s philosophy of ‘Value-through-Innovation’ and its desire to benefit people all over the world through commitment to research and development of innovative pharmaceutical substances.”

As the name of the institute indicates, the entire project is targeted at biological mechanisms and processes of aging. Prof. Wetzel, Head of Corporate Board Division Research and Development: “Aging and age-related diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, artereosclerosis, cancer, Parkinson’s disease, are among the most important topics humanity is now facing all over the world. A better understanding of the molecular and cellular basis in conjunction with the exciting advances in Genome analysis of aging may help to identify new routes to positive interventions in the aging process. Boehringer Ingelheim recognises academic community in the Pan-Pacific Region as an important research base in this area”.

Boehringer Ingelheim will enter these collaborations with scientists from academic institutions and will over a period of three years sponsor dedicated parts of their respective research programmes. The collaborations are set up in a way, that allows the scientists maximum flexibility and freedom. In return for the funds, Boehringer Ingelheim has the right of first refusal on potential intellectual properties resulting from these collaborations and the right to consult with these scientists.

https://www.chemeurope.com/en/news/1096/boehringer-ingelheim-pioneers-virtual-research-institute.html