Boehringer Ingelheim records positive business momentum with 3.7 billion investments in R&D

• Overall R&D investment up 7% to 3.7 billion EUR in 2020
• Boehringer Ingelheim META, the second fastest growing pharmaceutical company across the top 25 pharmaceutical corporations in the region
• Total human pharmaceuticals and animal health net sales witnessed 11% growth in 2020 across the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa
• Boehringer Ingelheim Egypt launched “For Your Diabetes and Heart” awareness program by lighting up Cairo Tower on World Diabetes Day

Cairo, Egypt: Boehringer Ingelheim stepped up its investments in R&D significantly in 2020 in pursuit of innovative medicines and therapies for diseases that have no satisfactory treatments available. In particular, efforts to research potential COVID-19 related therapies were accelerated. The company spent 3.7 billion EUR on R&D, 7% more than the previous year. This represents the highest annual investment in R&D in the 136-year history of the research-driven biopharmaceutical company.

“At Boehringer Ingelheim, we are driven by the passion to improve both animal and human health. It is a point of pride to see the strides made by the team following six decades of operations in the market,” said Dr. Mohamed Meshref, General Manager at Boehringer Ingelheim Egypt. “As the first regional operation outpost, we have and will continue striving towards accelerating the availability of innovative therapeutics and medical solutions across the country for years to come. Through our local teams’ tireless efforts as well as our collaborations with our trusted partners in Egypt, we have launched numerous successful campaigns to raise the public awareness for both patients with Type 2 diabetes and Stroke aiming to better the lives of the local community, such as “For Your Diabetes and Heart”  to increase the awareness about the relation between T2D and cardiovascular diseases and our ‘Angels’ initiative, which offered support to Stroke management Healthcare community. As we continue the 2021 year, we will stive towards moving closer towards our goal of ensuring that all citizens countrywide who rely on us have continuous access to our supply of medicines,” he added.

Building on its vast knowledge in various therapeutic areas, such as respiratory diseases and virology, Boehringer Ingelheim is engaged in several projects aimed at finding medical solutions to treat COVID-19. In December 2020, the company announced together with Cologne University Hospital (UKK), the University of Marburg (UMR), and the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) the initiation of Phase I/II clinical investigation of BI 767551, a SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody and potential new therapeutic and prophylactic option to reduce the potential risk and effects of a COVID-19 infection. Other COVID-19 initiatives include the research and development of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies that can neutralize the virus, small molecules to inhibit its replication, and therapy development to prevent micro coagulation (blood clots).

Solid performance despite COVID-19 pandemic

2020 was yet another good year for Boehringer Ingelheim, although the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic were omnipresent. All of its businesses contributed positively to net sales and operating income. The company globally recorded net sales of 19.57 billion EUR, a 3% increase compared to the previous year, achieving net sales growth by 5.6% year on year.

The Middle East, Turkey and Africa region also witnessed considerable business growth recording total net sales of 515 million EUR, an 11% increase compared to the 2019 year, with net sales of 383 million EUR and 132 million EUR recorded for Human Pharma and Animal Health respectively.

During 2020, Boehringer Ingelheim META’s immense efforts secured its recognition as the second fastest growing pharmaceutical company across the top 25 pharmaceutical corporations in the region, further ranking 14 among the top 25 multinational pharmaceutical companies in 2020, Boehringer Ingelheim META human pharma business recorded a total growth rate of 20%.

Human Pharma – Strong growth across all regions

At 14.42 billion EUR, net sales of human pharmaceuticals grew strongly by 5.8% (year on year and adjusted for currency effects) and accounted for 74% of total net sales. All regions contributed to the strong results in Human Pharma including META.

Medicines for the treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, as well as respiratory diseases, remain the most important contributors to net sales globally.  For instance, Boehringer Ingelheim’s diabetes medicine used along with diet and exercise to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes, remains the biggest revenue contributor in Human Pharma. The medication reduces the risk of cardiovascular death in adults with type 2 diabetes who have known cardiovascular disease.

The company’s pulmonary fibroses diseases medication was the second-strongest revenue contributor for the first time, with net sales of 2.06 billion EUR and growth of 41% (year on year and adjusted for currency effects) (2019: 1.49 billion EUR). This medicine is used for the treatment of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) and, in some countries, other chronic fibrosing interstitial lung diseases with a progressive phenotype.

Animal Health – Strong performance in a highly competitive market

The Animal Health business of Boehringer Ingelheim is one of the largest providers of veterinary vaccines and medicines and has a strong presence in the livestock and pets’ segments. In 2020, the Animal Health business delivered a strong performance in a highly competitive market and grew by 5% (year on year and adjusted for currency effects) by posting net sales of 4.12 billion EUR. The pet antiparasitic segments in particular developed successfully and outperformed expectations. EUR). The parasiticide NEXGARD® remained the company’s best-selling product, with growth of 12% (year on year and adjusted for currency effects) and net sales of 804 million EUR.

Furthermore, according to data released by CEESA, a non-profit international association, Boehringer Ingelheim Egypt is ranked in second place in terms of total market share in the country. The impressive ranking stems from the company’s offering of a variety of innovative and effective solutions addressing avian, ruminants, veterinary public health, and pet health across Egypt. This includes the provision of vaccines, pharmaceuticals, parasiticides and supplements across these animal segments.

Boehringer Ingelheim Egypt launched a diabetes awareness program called “For Your Diabetes and Heart Health”, which aims to raise awareness of the disease. The Cairo Tower was lit up during World Diabetes Day in November 2020 to show support to people living with this condition across the country.

In September 2020, Boehringer Ingelheim Egypt also launched its ‘Angels ‘program at various university hospitals across Egypt, providing educational programs for stroke management to physicians and medical professionals throughout the country. Conducted in collaboration with the Supreme Council of Universities and the Egyptian Society of Neurology Psychiatry and Neurosurgery, the Angels initiative offered online medical lectures from leading specialists and experts in the field of stroke management, its diagnosis and treatment. The course was accredited by the European Stroke Federation and the American Association of Continuing Medical Education.

-Ends-

Boehringer Ingelheim

Boehringer Ingelheim is working on breakthrough therapies that improve the lives of humans and animals. As a leading research-driven biopharmaceutical company, the company creates value through innovation in areas of high unmet medical need. Founded in 1885 and family-owned ever since, Boehringer Ingelheim takes a long-term perspective. Approximately 52,000 employees serve more than 140 markets in the three business areas, Human Pharma, Animal Health, and Biopharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing.

Learn more at www.boehringer-ingelheim.com 

© Press Release 2021