Statement on FDA Drug Development Public Meeting for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)

RIDGEFIELD, Conn., Sept 26, 2014 – Boehringer Ingelheim applauds the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for conducting today’s public meeting to better understand the daily experiences of those living with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a serious and life-threatening lung disease in which most patients live only three to five years after diagnosis.

The patient and caregiver stories that will be shared with the FDA and the public today may help shed light on the unmet needs associated with this devastating disease. There are currently no FDA-approved treatments for IPF.

Boehringer Ingelheim remains deeply committed to the IPF community through ongoing research and education, as well as helping to continue the dialogue to examine the impact of IPF on the every day lives of patients and their caregivers.

IPF is a rare and progressive lung disease that causes permanent scarring of the lungs, difficulty breathing and decreases the amount of oxygen the lungs can supply to the body.  IPF affects as many as 132,000 Americans.

About Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

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 142 affiliates and more than 47,400 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.

Social responsibility is a central element of Boehringer Ingelheim's culture. 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 2013, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of about $18.7 billion (14.1 billion euro). R&D expenditure in the Prescription Medicines business corresponds to 19.5% of its net sales.

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

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