Innovation in CardioMetabolic Disease Research

Research into cardiometabolic diseases is at a turning point. Advances in treatment and an enhanced emphasis on primary prevention have resulted in significant improvements in life expectancy over the last 30 years. Yet challenges remain. Rising rates of obesity and diabetes are projected to increase with the worldwide prevalence of obesity increasing three-fold between 1975 and 20161, and one in ten adults estimated to have diabetes by 20402. Against this challenging landscape, scientists at Boehringer Ingelheim are looking at things differently. By exploring disease mechanisms and common pathways within various cardiometabolic diseases, we aim to leverage synergies in our pursuit of identifying the next wave of innovative medicines.

The Big Picture: A Holistic Approach to CardioMetabolic Disease Research

Boehringer Ingelheim’s cardiometabolic research strategy takes a holistic view of the broader therapeutic needs of patients who may often have multiple conditions, connected by underlying similar pathologies. Our deep scientific expertise and long history of innovation across the cardiometabolic spectrum give us a unique perspective in addressing these challenges. Michael Mark, Global Head of CardioMetabolic Diseases Research, explains.

Michael Mark, Global Head of CardioMetabolic Diseases Research

“In cardiometabolic research we are not necessarily only focussing on a special target or pathway for a single disease. From a scientist’s perspective, what we see is a large overlap in different disease mechanisms that we can investigate to solve more than one challenge. For example, if we change something in the glucose metabolism there is a consequence in the lipid metabolism as these are interlinked pathways. A key strength of Boehringer Ingelheim is our broad spectrum of expertise that extends from atherosclerosis to lipid metabolism and cardiovascular disease to renal disease. This means we are uniquely well-suited to address these complex, multi-factorial research questions.”

 

Digital technology
Our patient-centric approach goes further – beyond classical molecular biology to encompass the latest thinking in digital and behavioral sciences. Advances in these approaches, which complement other aspects of disease management, mean that we will in future be able to support patients more effectively in their fight to achieve sustainable lifestyle change.

“As drug treatments improve we need to look beyond pharmacology to behavioral approaches to improve patient outcomes. Many cardiometabolic diseases are driven by an unhealthy lifestyle. With advances in digital technology and a better understanding of behavioral sciences we now really have the opportunity to address the root causes of many of these diseases.”

Georg van Husen, Corporate Senior Vice President, Therapeutic Area Head Cardiometabolism.

References

  1. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs311/en/ 
  2. IDF Diabetes Atlas · Seventh Edition.