Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA and Ingelheim, Germany - May 28, 2015 - Boehringer Ingelheim and the University of Michigan announce today that they have entered into a research collaboration focused on the discovery of new medicines for patients with diabetic nephropathy.
In an effort to improve the quality of life for patients suffering from this debilitating disorder, a research team of investigators at Boehringer Ingelheim, the Universities of Michigan and Minnesota and the intermural research branch of the National Institute of Health in Phoenix will seek to elucidate mechanisms that are likely to be drivers of diabetic nephropathy. The unique research design consists of more than 10 years of prospective evaluation of the Pima Indian patient population, a population known for its propensity to develop diabetes and subsequently nephropathy. The research team will examine the phenotypic and molecular states before and after the onset of renal damage in the context of diabetes. The project will elucidate the altered molecular networks in the early and later stages of diabetic nephropathy and will identify new mechanistic entry points for drug discovery.
"We are very much looking forward to working with Dr. Kretzler and his co-collaborators as part of this joint research program," says Dr. Michel Pairet, Senior Corporate Vice President of Research and Non-clinical Development at Boehringer Ingelheim. "This longitudinal study of human diabetic nephropathy will provide researchers with valuable scientific insights into the underlying mechanisms of this devastating disease and reaffirms our commitment in the area of cardiometabolic diseases."
"Addressing the early mechanisms of diabetes and diabetic nephropathy and how they progress to renal failure will allow our teams to look for novel targeted therapies in diabetic nephropathy, urgently needed to slowing or halting the progression of this devastating disease," says Matthias Kretzler, M.D., professor of internal medicine and nephrologist at the University of Michigan Health System.
Further details of the agreement and financial terms are not disclosed.
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About the University of Michigan
The University of Michigan Health System creates the future of health care through medical education, patient care and research. UMHS is a community of more than 26,000 faculty, staff, trainees and volunteers, including 3 hospitals and 40 outpatient locations. The University of Michigan Medical School consistently ranks among the top research universities in the United States and world. With one of the nation's largest research budgets, The University of Michigan finds new ways to understand, diagnose, treat, manage and prevent many human diseases. For more information, visit: http://www.med.umich.edu
About Boehringer Ingelheim
The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world's 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, Boehringer Ingelheim operates globally with 146 affiliates and a total of more than 47,700 employees. The focus of the family-owned company, founded in 1885, is researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing new medications of high therapeutic value for human and veterinary medicine. Social responsibility is an important element of the corporate culture at Boehringer Ingelheim. This includes worldwide involvement in social projects, such as the initiative "Making more Health" and caring for the employees. Respect, equal opportunities and reconciling career and family form the foundation of the mutual cooperation. In everything it does, the company focuses on environmental protection and sustainability. In 2014, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of about 13.3 billion euros. R&D expenditure corresponds to 19.9 percent of its net sales.
For more information please visit http://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com
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Contact:
Boehringer Ingelheim
Dr. Reinhard Malin
Director Corporate Communications - Oncology and Pipeline
Tel.: +49 (6132) 77-90815
reinhard.malin@boehringer-ingelheim.com
Contact:
The University of Michigan Health System
Shantell M. Kirkendoll
Department of Communication
Tel.: +001 (734) 764-2220
smkirk@umich.edu