Partnering in CardioMetabolic Diseases
“We have no entry criteria to partnering other than exploring an exciting scientific idea in our core indications and a commitment to collaboration. Our interest is in developing an enduring partnership. One in which both partners are contributing to the project’s success and where we are working together to advance the development of new therapies for patients.”
Dr. Johannes Zanzinger, Global Head of Business Development and Licensing, Cardiometabolic Diseases, Boehringer Ingelheim
Science, trust, commitment, reliability. These are the factors that define the many partnerships in our CardioMetabolic diseases portfolio. We are working with the brightest and best scientific minds in cardiometabolic diseases to accelerate the delivery of breakthrough medicines to patients. From our global strategic alliance in diabetes with Eli Lilly and Company to innovative early discovery collaborations with partners such as Circuit Therapeutics and the Harvard Stem Cell Institute.
Our patient-centric research focus is at the heart of our partnering strategy. Collaborations with MiNA Therapeutics and Dicerna Pharmaceuticals are investigating new therapeutic approaches that address previously inaccessible drug targets to protect and restore liver functionality in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and fibrotic liver disease. We are working together with Gubra to develop treatments for obesity, which complements our phase 1 development programs with Zealand Pharma. And we have recently initiated phase 2 clinical research in both non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and diabetic retinopathy indications with a compound acquired from our partner Pharmaxis.
Around 30% of our cardiometabolic research portfolio is anchored in external collaborations, encompassing projects across the value chain, and we continue to grow our network of academic and biotechnology partners. We believe that by bringing together our collective expertise we can achieve greater success for patients.
Our Partnering Priorities
- Liver diseases: Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, liver fibrosis, cirrhosis
- Diabetic eye diseases: Diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy
- Chronic kidney diseases: Chronic kidney disease from diabetes and other cardiovascular causes, and approaches targeting pathophysiologies in the cardio-renal axis, including heart failure, acute kidney injury, renal inflammation and fibrosis
- Novel obesity treatments achieving weight loss > 10%
- Breakthrough treatments for type 2 diabetes, Pancreas recovery option

Partnering Cardiometabolic Diseases