Boehringer Ingelheim and Duke Clinical Research Institute Form Collaborative Partnership to Study the Natural History of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)

Ridgefield, Conn., and Durham, N.C.,January 30,2014 – Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Duke Clinical Research Institute (DCRI) have formed a unique collaborative relationship to uncover insights into idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a progressive and fatal lung disease.

As part of the partnership, Boehringer Ingelheim and Duke Clinical Research Institute will initiate a prospective, multi-center IPF registry in the United States, as well as establish a biomarker bank to identify potential blood or genetic markers of the disease that correlate with patient outcomes.

“Duke Clinical Research Institute’s new relationship with Boehringer Ingelheim is a paradigm shift in how academic institutions and industry have traditionally worked together,” said Scott Palmer, MD, MHS, director of Pulmonary Research at the Duke Clinical Research Institute and associate professor in the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine at Duke University Medical School.

“Boehringer Ingelheim came to Duke Clinical Research Institute to discuss common interests with regards to the unmet patient needs in the area of lung disease. As a result, a true collaboration has emerged in which we will be drawing on each other’s specific strengths and research expertise, allowing us to jointly work through ideas and develop new studies that advance patient care.”

“We are excited by this research partnership with Duke Clinical Research Institute as it represents an important step to understanding a disease for which there has been a minimal amount of understanding,” said Tunde Otulana, MD, senior vice president, Clinical Development and Medical Affairs, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. “Our partnership with Duke Clinical Research Institute represents an important step for our company. We believe this approach will allow us to accomplish together certain research goals that we might not otherwise have achieved separately.”

The first project will be the development of the Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Outcomes Registry (IPF-PRO), a long-term study that will collect and analyze data over time from a large group of patients. This prospective, observational study is designed to provide a better understanding of the natural progression of IPF and treatment approaches for people with the condition and will launch shortly. 

Research indicates that IPF may affect as many as 132,000 people in the United States and the patient population may be increasing. Most patients with IPF die from the disease within three to five years of diagnosis.

About IPF
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterized by inflammation and scarring of lung tissue and loss of lung function over time. Development of scarred tissue is called fibrosis. Over time, as the tissue thickens and stiffens with scarring, the lungs lose their ability to take in and transfer oxygen into the bloodstream, and vital organs do not get the oxygen they require. Individuals with IPF experience shortness of breath and often have difficulty participating in everyday physical activities.

Research indicates that IPF may affect as many as 132,000 Americans and there is some evidence that the patient population is increasing. There are no FDA-approved prescription medications in the United States to treat IPF, and there is currently an unmet clinical need for additional treatments.

About Boehringer Ingelheim
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., based in Ridgefield, CT, is the largest U.S. subsidiary of Boehringer Ingelheim Corporation (Ridgefield, CT) and a member of the Boehringer Ingelheim group of companies.

The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world’s 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, it operates globally with 140 affiliates and more than 46,000 employees. Since it was founded in 1885, the family-owned company has been committed to researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing novel medications of high therapeutic value for human and veterinary medicine.

As a central element of its culture, Boehringer Ingelheim has a demonstrated commitment to corporate social responsibility. Involvement in social projects, caring for employees and their families, and providing equal opportunities for all employees form the foundation of the global operations. Mutual cooperation and respect, as well as environmental protection and sustainability are intrinsic factors in all of Boehringer Ingelheim’s endeavors.

In 2012, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of about $19.1 billion (14.7 billion euro). R&D expenditure in the business area Prescription Medicines corresponds to 22.5% of its net sales. 

For more information please visit www.us.boehringer-ingelheim.com.

About Duke Clinical Research Institute
The Duke Clinical Research Institute (www.dcri.org) is the world's largest academic clinical research organization. Duke Clinical Research Institute research spans multiple disciplines, from pediatrics to geriatrics, primary care to subspecialty medicine, and genomics to proteomics. The Duke Clinical Research Institute is also home to the Duke Databank for Cardiovascular Diseases, the largest and oldest institutional cardiovascular database in the world, which continues to inform clinical decision-making 40 years after its founding. The Duke Clinical Research Institute has conducted studies at more than 37,000 sites in 65 countries; completed more than 970 phase I-IV clinical trials, studies of patient outcomes and analyses of comparative effectiveness; managed national patient registries; enrolled more than 1.2 million patients in Duke Clinical Research Institute studies; and published more than 8,300 papers in peer-reviewed journals.

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