PF Foundation and Boehringer Partner to Advance Research, Aid Patients

The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) recently announced in a press release a five-year collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim to support PFF programs dedicated to the improvement of the clinical outcome in patients with pulmonary fibrosis (PF), increase awareness about the disease, and offer advance care, disease education and funds for PF research. Boehringer Ingelheim has been a generous sponsor of PFF since 2011.

“Boehringer Ingelheim is a significant partner and through their support and collaboration, we are advancing patient care and paving the way toward a cure,” said Patti Tuomey, EdD, President and Chief Executive Officer of the PFF in the release. “This investment comes at a critical time when such funding is needed in order to advance research as the PFF transforms the patient experience.”

Two PFF signature programs will be the main focus of this partnership: the multi-center PFF Patient Registry and the Care Center Network (CCN).

The PFF Patient Registry is a national initiative launched by PFF that aims to collect medical data from patients with PF in order to help ongoing research. The Registry is expected to allow scientists to deepen their understanding concerning the different forms of disease progression, the individuals affected by the disease and how PF patients respond to the different treatment regimens. Data obtained through the PFF Patient Registry will also help determine best practices in PF care and to identify potential therapeutic targets.

The CCN currently comprises 21 medical centers in 20 different U.S. states. These centers rely on a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to offer comprehensive care to patients with PF and ease access to relevant support services for patients or for their families. The CCN plans to expand into 40 sites by the end of 2016. The medical centers within the PFF CCN can apply to participate in the soon-to-be-launched PFF Patient Registry.

“This five year partnership with the PFF will offer critical support and resources for people living with these devastating diseases,” said Al Masucci, vice president, IPF Business Unit, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. “As an industry leader in respiratory care, we are proud to offer our continued support to the broader pulmonary fibrosis community. We are pleased to partner with the PFF in its efforts to empower patients to obtain an early diagnosis, high-quality medical care and to advance research leading to healthier outcomes and better quality of life.”

Other PFF signature programs also receiving additional funding from Boehringer Ingelheim are the PFF Support Group Leader Network, the PFF Ambassador program, the PFF Disease Education Webinar Series, and education materials on the disease.