Canadian Research Partnership Will Focus on Progressive Fibrosing ILDs

Boehringer Ingelheim Canada and the University Hospital Foundation (UHF) established the Alberta Boehringer Ingelheim Interstitial Lung Disease (ABILD), a new partnership with a focus on progressive fibrosing interstitial lung disease (ILD).

ILDs comprise more than 200 respiratory diseases known to cause breathing difficulties. About 18% to 32% of people with ILD may develop progressive scarring in the lungs — pulmonary fibrosis — which can increase breathing problems and worsen patients’ quality of life.

ABILD, launched on World Lung Day (Sept. 25), intends to develop health innovation projects to increase  knowledge about diagnosis, patient care, and access to treatment for people with progressive fibrosing ILD in Alberta.

“Healthcare systems rely on research and innovation to deliver better quality, better outcomes, and better value to patients,” Andrea Sambati, president and CEO of Boehringer Ingelheim Canada, said in a press release.

“This collaboration will strengthen and expand efforts to find solutions to today’s health care challenges for Albertan and Canadian patients living with [progressive fibrosing] ILD,” Sambati added.

According to UHF, Alberta’s life sciences sector is a major source of innovation.

“We want to thank Boehringer Ingelheim Canada for its ongoing commitment to improving patient care in Alberta,” said Jodi L. Abbott, PhD, president and CEO of the UHF.

UHF gathers industry, the public sector, and philanthropic associations to expand and transform innovation into health solutions.

“By connecting the support of our generous donors to researchers and industry leaders, through Strategic Partnerships like this, the University Hospital Foundation is accelerating patient-oriented research to find new and innovative ways to deliver care that will impact people around the world,” Abbott said.

A collaboration between Boehringer Ingelheim Canada and The Institute of Health Economics (IHE) also has set goal of improving care for people with progressive fibrosing ILD in Canada, and helping manage and guide patient priorities.

In another partnership in Canada, Boehringer Ingelheim Canada, UHF and the Government of Alberta in 2019 formed the Alberta Boehringer Ingelheim Collaboration (ABIC) Fund, which seeks to implement effective solutions to improve the lives of people with respiratory diseases, particularly with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.