Boehringer Ingelheim Awards Grants to Support Innovative Research on Genetic Markers in Atrial Fibrillation and Treatment Adherence with Electronic Alert Program

Ridgefield, CT, May 15, 2015 – Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that it is awarding the University of California-Davis and the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine with the first Anticoagulation Call to acTion (ACT) Initiative research grants. Through this ACT Initiative pilot program, Academic Centers of Excellence in stroke and atrial fibrillation were challenged to identify unmet needs and address areas of interest in anticoagulation care research.

These research projects were selected by an independent External Review Committee, comprised of nationally recognized leaders in the fields of atrial fibrillation and stroke, from a group of five finalists after a live presentation and question and answer session. Glen Jickling, MD, MSc, FRCP presented on behalf of University of California-Davis and Seemant Chaturvedi, MD presented for the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. The programs received the ACT Initiative grants based on their innovative research approaches and the focus of each project on addressing knowledge gaps in anticoagulation care and the treatment and management of atrial fibrillation and stroke.

Dr. Jickling’s research at University of California-Davis will evaluate whether a gene marker can improve the identification of atrial fibrillation in patients with ischemic stroke. Dr. Chaturvedi’s research at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine will assess the impact of a computerized electronic alert program to improve treatment for stroke prevention. The program, Electronic Decision support for Improvement of Contemporary Therapy for Stroke prevention (EDICTS) will also assess the differences in atrial fibrillation treatment in women and in elderly patients and will track whether the electronic alerts improve treatment adherence.

“It was exciting, both scientifically and operationally, to see projects that can help identify atrial fibrillation patients who need anticoagulation in novel ways - involving a genetic risk score and electronic health record alerts,” said Christopher Cannon, MD, executive director of Cardiometabolic Trials, Harvard Clinical Research Institute and a member of the External Review Committee that reviewed the proposals. “It was also wonderful to see how this approach could generate novel ideas from so many clinician scientists from around the country - and actually fund the work in less than 2 months from the initial call for proposals. I was pleased to be a part of this program that will help improve patient care.”

Boehringer Ingelheim invited 125 anticoagulation and stroke Academic Centers of Excellence to participate in the ACT Initiative pilot program. The Centers were challenged to submit innovative proposals focused on anticoagulation research related to patient care and outcomes, patient education, patient advocacy, healthcare provider education or improving the healthcare provider-patient dialog about atrial fibrillation. Selected proposals were reviewed by the External Review Committee for consideration to receive up to $500,000 in research funding. The ACT Initiative submission period and review and selection process lasted just six weeks. The research programs are to be implemented and outcomes presented within one year of receiving the grant.

“Boehringer Ingelheim remains committed to supporting innovative research that will provide benefits to atrial fibrillation patients,” said Sabine Luik, MD, senior vice president, Medicine & Regulatory Affairs, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. “We introduced the ACT Initiative pilot program as an innovative process that gives an External Review Committee of experts the autonomy to review proposals from their peers and select programs that they think address patient needs and gaps in anticoagulation care. We appreciate their participation and look forward to seeing the initial outcomes of this research in the near future.” 

About Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., based in Ridgefield, CT, is the largest U.S. subsidiary of Boehringer Ingelheim Corporation.

Boehringer Ingelheim is one of the world’s 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, the company operates globally with 146 affiliates and more than 47,000 employees. Since its founding in 1885, the family-owned company has been committed to researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing novel treatments for human and veterinary medicine.

Boehringer Ingelheim is committed to improving lives and providing valuable services and support to patients and families. Our employees create and engage in programs that strengthen our communities. To learn more about how we make more health for more people, visit our Corporate Social Responsibility Report.

In 2014, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of about $16.96 billion dollars (13.3 billion euros). R&D expenditure corresponds to 19.9 percent of its net sales.

For more information please visit www.us.boehringer-ingelheim.com, or follow us on Twitter @BoehringerUS.   

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