The Key Focus For Boehringer Ingelheim India Is Diabetes, Stroke, Oncology And Respiratory

Dr Michel Pairet, Member of the Board of Managing Directors, Innovation Unit, Boehringer Ingelheim, discloses about the company’s strategic plans for both, global and the Indian markets, in an exclusive interaction with Sanjiv Das.

- Sanjiv Das

At the annual press conference in Ingelheim, several investments in China were announced. What is BI’s strategy when it comes to investing in India?

In 2017, Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) in India invested 125,000 euros in property, plant and equipment. BI India has a focused strategy of bringing its innovation-based research molecules to India to address evolving needs of the patients. Co-marketing partnerships have also played a major role in strengthening our presence and reaching a larger target audience.

The key focus for Boehringer Ingelheim India is diabetes, stroke, oncology and respiratory. Our launches over the last few years are Pradaxa (dabigatran for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation) and Trajenta (linagliptin in diabetes) in 2012, Trajenta Duo (FDC of linagliptin and metformin) in 2014, followed by the launch of Xovoltib (afatinib) for NSCLC and co-marketing agreement with Lupin for the launch of 2nd brand of linagliptin and linagliptin-metformin under the brand names Ondero and Ondero Met respectively in 2015.

In 2016, we launched Jardiance (empagliflozin) in diabetes and had a strategic partnership with Lupin for the 2nd brand of empagliflozin, under the brand name Gibtulio. In 2017, Boehringer Ingelheim India entered the respiratory space with the launch of Cyendiv (nintedanib) for IPF (Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis). This year saw the launch of FDCs Jardiance Met (empagliflozin-metformin) and Glyxambi (empagliflozin-linagliptin) as well as the expansion of our collaboration with Lupin for co-marketing of two oral antidiabetic drugs Gibtulio Met (empagliflozin – metformin) and Ajaduo (empagliflozinLinagliptin).