Milestones in R&D
Boehringer Ingelheim's Milestones in Research & Development
Boehringer Ingelheim's success in research & development has a long history. The company began in 1885 with 28 employees in Ingelheim (Germany) and is now one of the leading research-driven pharmaceutical companies with 41,300 employees worldwide. The company's R&D started in 1917 with the first scientific department. Nowadays, more than 6,700 employees conduct research & development and clinical trials. Our researchers have generated a steady stream of prominent pharmaceutical milestones since the company was founded.
R&D Highlights
- 1885: Our founder
Albert Boehringer founded a factory with 28 employees in Ingelheim (Germany) producing cream of tartar from wine yeast.
- 1905: First extraction of alkaloids
First extraction of alkaloids from medicinal plants for morphine and codeine.- 1917: First Scientific Department set up
- First Scientific Department set up in Ingelheim by Professor Heinrich Otto Wieland and his brother Prof. Hermann Wieland, cousins of Helene Boehringer, wife of Albert Boehringer, founder of Boehringer Ingelheim.
- 1920: Cadechol®
- Introduction of Cadechol® for treatment of chronic cardiovascular diseases - the first product derived from Heinrich Wieland's work.
- 1921: Lobelin®
The respiratory stimulant Lobelin® secures Boehringer Ingelheim's position in the pharmaceutical market.- 1923: Perichol®
- Perichol®, a respiratory stimulant, is launched.
- 1927: Nobel Prize for Chemistry
- Heinrich Wieland receives the Nobel Prize for Chemistry.
- 1941: Aldurin®
- Highly innovative bronchodilator Aldurin®, first in a series of anti-asthmatic agents, introduced.
- 1946: Dr Karl Thomae GmbH
- Dr Karl Thomae GmbH, whose products included the analgesic Thomapyrin®, founded in Biberach (Germany).
- 1961: Research institute in Vienna, Austria
- Foundation of Boehringer Ingelheim's research institute in Vienna, Austria, focusing on virology and pharmacology.
- 1969: Research unit in Kawanishi, Japan
Set-up of Boehringer Ingelheim's research unit in Kawanishi (Japan), near Osaka.- 1973: New indolmycin derivatives
- Starting with anti-microbial agents, Boehringer Ingelheim begins work by chemically modifying macrolide and beta lactam antibiotics to increase potency, broaden spectrum of activity and overcome resistance. Side directed mutagenesis leads to new indolmycin derivatives.
- 1974: New antibiotics & Pharma research in Vienna, Austria
- Beginning of screening programme to find new lead compounds from streptomyces strains. Advanced fermentation processes give rise to several new antibiotics, including amiclenomycin, epidermin, gallidermin and gunacin.
Boehringer Ingelheim's pharma research in Vienna (Austria) is integrated into the company's Vienna site as the Ernst Boehringer Institute for Pharmaceutical Research (EBI). - 1975: Atrovent® (ipatropium bromide)
- Atrovent® (ipatropium bromide), recommended standard treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), introduced.
- 1983: Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds foundation
- Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds foundation (B.I.F.) set up to exclusive and direct promote basic research in biomedicine.
- 1985: Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP)
- The basic research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), founded in Vienna (Austria) as a joint venture between Boehringer Ingelheim and Genentech, Inc., USA.
- 1986: Biopharmaceutical production started
- Biopharmaceutical production started in Biberach (Germany).
- 1987: Actilyse® (alteplase)
- Introduction of the tissue plasminogen activator Actilyse® (alteplase) for treatment of stroke and heart attack - Boehringer Ingelheim's first genetically engineered product.
- 1988: Bio-Méga research centre
- Acquisition of the Bio-Méga research centre in Laval (Canada).
- 1990: Alveofact®
- Alveofact®, a natural surfactant, launched.
- 1993: Sole sponsor of the IMP
- Boehringer Ingelheim became sole sponsor of the IMP.
- 1995: Combivent® (ipatropium bromide, salbutamol)
- Combivent® (ipatropium bromide, salbutamol) launched.
- 1996: Mobic® (meloxicam) and Viramune® (nevirapine)
- Mobic® (meloxicam), an antirheumatic agent, launched.
Launch of Viramune® (nevirapine), an antiretroviral for HIV-1 treatment. - 1997: Sifrol® (pramipexole)
- Sifrol® (pramipexole), for symptomatic treatment of idiopathic Parkinson's disease launched.
- 1998: Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma KG & Micardis® (telmisartan)
- Boehringer Ingelheim KG and Dr Karl Thomae GmbH merged under Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma KG (now Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG)
Micardis® (telmisartan), for the treatment of high blood pressure, launched. - 1999: Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (IMBA)
- The Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (IMBA) founded in Vienna (Austria) by Boehringer Ingelheim and the Austrian Academy of Sciences.
- 2000: New corporate headquarters
- New corporate headquarters, the Boehringer Ingelheim Centre, inaugurated in Ingelheim (Germany).
- 2001: R&D expenditure exceeds EUR 1 billion, Heinrich Wieland Prize & METALYSE® (tenecteplace, TNK-t-PA)
- Boehringer Ingelheim's worldwide R&D expenditure exceeds EUR 1 billion for the first time.
Boehringer Ingelheim takes over responsibility for the Heinrich Wieland Prize to demonstrate its commitment to promote research on lipids and related substances in the areas of chemistry, biochemistry, physiology and clinical medicine.
Introduction of Boehringer Ingelheim's second genetically engineered product, Metalyse® (tenecteplace, TNK-t-PA), a new single-bolus thrombolytic agent for treatment of heart attack. - 2002: Active ingredient plant, Spiriva® (tiotropium) & FENS Research Award
- Inauguration of the active ingredient plant in Ingelheim (Germany) (€ 180 million investment).
Spiriva® (tiotropium) the first once-daily bronchodilator, for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) launched.
Boehringer Ingelheim FENS Research Award awarded for the first time to recognise young European scientists for outstanding research in the field of neurosciences. - 2003: Biopharmaceutical production plant in Biberach
Inauguration of the biopharmaceutical production plant in Biberach (Germany) - the corporation's largest single investment to date (€ 255 million).- 2004: Spiriva® HandiHaler®(tiotropium bromide inhalation powder) & STEAG microParts GmbH
- Launch of Spiriva® HandiHaler® (tiotropium bromide inhalation powder) for the long-term, once-daily maintenance treatment of bronchospasm associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Acquiration of the microtechnology specialist STEAG microParts GmbH, based in Dortmund (Germany), a worldwide leader in microsystem technology. - 2005: Aptivus® (tipranavir); Barry Dickson new IMP director & Global Skill Centers
- Launch of Aptivus® (tipranavir), a non-peptidic protease inhibitor, for the combination treatment of HIV-1 infection in highly pre-treated patients.
Barry Dickson appointed new Director of the Basic Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP) in Vienna (Austria).
New biopharmaceutical production plant doubling production capacity in Vienna
Boehringer Ingelheim APOPIS Award awarded for the first time for young researchers active under the APOPIS research project (abnormal proteins in the pathogenesis of neuro-degenerative diseases).
Boehringer Ingelheim started Global Skill Centers at research and development sites to concentrate expert knowledge and reduce duplication. - 2006: Sifrol® (pramipexole)
- US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of Sifrol® (pramipexole), a non-ergot dopamine agonist, for the treatment of moderate-to-severe primary restless legs syndrome (RLS).
- 2007: Spiriva® Respimat®, No. 1 in Top Employer survey & Approval for Aptivus® (tipranavir)
- Launch of Spiriva® Respimat®, a propellant-free, new generation inhaler combining innovative technology with the proven efficacy of Spiriva® (tiotropium).
Science Magazine's Top Employer survey recognises Boehringer Ingelheim as No.1 in 2007.
Full US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for Aptivus® (tipranavir) for combination antiretroviral treatment of HIV-1
Expansion and moderisation of the biopharmaceutical production plant in Biberach (Germany) to further expand Boehringer Ingelheim's position as one of the world's leading manufacturers of biopharmaceuticals. - 2008: Pradaxa® (dabigatran etexilate)
- Launch of Pradaxa® (dabigatran etexilate), a novel, oral direct thrombin inhibitor for the prevention of venous thromboembolic events in adults after elective total hip or total knee replacement.
