Boehringer Ingelheim, DCRI partner to uncover insights into idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Duke Clinical Research Institute (DCRI) have formed a unique collaborative relationship to uncover insights into idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a progressive and fatal lung disease.

As part of the partnership, Boehringer Ingelheim and Duke Clinical Research Institute will initiate a prospective, multi-center IPF registry in the United States, as well as establish a biomarker bank to identify potential blood or genetic markers of the disease that correlate with patient outcomes.

"Duke Clinical Research Institute's new relationship with Boehringer Ingelheim is a paradigm shift in how academic institutions and industry have traditionally worked together," said Scott Palmer, MD, MHS, director of Pulmonary Research at the Duke Clinical Research Institute and associate professor in the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine at Duke University Medical School.

"Boehringer Ingelheim came to Duke Clinical Research Institute to discuss common interests with regards to the unmet patient needs in the area of lung disease. As a result, a true collaboration has emerged in which we will be drawing on each other's specific strengths and research expertise, allowing us to jointly work through ideas and develop new studies that advance patient care."

"We are excited by this research partnership with Duke Clinical Research Institute as it represents an important step to understanding a disease for which there has been a minimal amount of understanding," said Tunde Otulana, MD, senior vice president, Clinical Development and Medical Affairs, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. "Our partnership with Duke Clinical Research Institute represents an important step for our company. We believe this approach will allow us to accomplish together certain research goals that we might not otherwise have achieved separately."

The first project will be the development of the Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Outcomes Registry (IPF-PRO), a long-term study that will collect and analyze data over time from a large group of patients. This prospective, observational study is designed to provide a better understanding of the natural progression of IPF and treatment approaches for people with the condition and will launch shortly. 

Research indicates that IPF may affect as many as 132,000 people in the United States and the patient population may be increasing. Most patients with IPF die from the disease within three to five years of diagnosis.