1988-2015: Value through Innovation
Following the death of Hubertus Liebrecht (1991), the owning family made some fundamental decisions regarding the company’s alignment. This was in response to changing global healthcare standards and the increasing cost of healthcare, and was designed to maintain the company’s leading position.
Milestones during this period
1989: Launch of Alveofact®
1989 sees the launch of Alveofact®, a surfactant substitute for respiratory distress syndrome in newborns.
1991: Hubertus Liebrecht dies
Hubertus Liebrecht dies on 27 July.
1992: Erich von Baumbach appointed Chairman of the Shareholders’ Committee
On 1 January, Erich von Baumbach, the son-in-law of Albert Boehringer jr., is appointed Chairman of the Shareholders’ Committee. At the same time, Heribert Johann is appointed spokesman for the Board of Managing Directors. This means that for the first time in the company’s history, no members of the owning family are in charge of operational business.
1993: German pharmaceutical business under common management
The German pharmaceutical business with its two sites – one in Ingelheim and one in Biberach – is placed under common management. In future, research activities will be centred in Biberach, while production – though not biopharmaceutical production – will take place in Ingelheim.
1993: Institute for Molecular Pathology (IMP) solely owned by Boehringer Ingelheim
The Institute for Molecular Pathology (IMP) in Vienna is placed under the sole ownership of Boehringer Ingelheim.
1994: The shareholders and the management of Boehringer Ingelheim present the vision “Value through Innovation” giving the whole group a direction for the future
“Vision & Leadership” are the guiding principles supporting the implementation of the Boehringer Ingelheim vision. A year later the first “Value through Innovation” day is held for the employees at all locations worldwide. The company’s goal is anchored in its mission statement to help people through innovative statements.
1995: Launch of Combivent®
1995 sees the launch of Combivent®, which contains the active substances ipratropium bromide and salbutamol and is used in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
1995: R&D expenditure exceeds DM 1 billion
For the first time in the company’s history, global R&D expenditure exceeds DM 1 billion (approximately 511 million euro).
The company employs a total of 23,277 people.
1996: Launch of Alna® / Flomax®
1996 sees the launch of Alna® / Flomax®, which is used in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
1996: Launch of Mobec®
The antirheumatic drug Mobec® is launched.
1997: Launch of Viramune®
1997 sees the launch of Viramune®, which is designed to reduce the risk of transferring HI viruses in pregnant women to their unborn children.
1997: Launch of Sifrol®
1997 sees the launch of Sifrol®, a product used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. From 2006, Sifrol® also becomes available for the indication of RLS (restless leg syndrome).
1997: Launch of new company logo
A new corporate design is launched worldwide. The company logo, which still displays a stylised motif of the imperial palace of Ingelheim, is modernised.
1998: Launch of Aggrenox®
1998 sees the launch of Aggrenox®, a product used in the treatment of strokes.
1998: Boehringer Ingelheim KG and Dr. Karl Thomae GmbH merge to form Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma KG
Boehringer Ingelheim KG and Dr. Karl Thomae GmbH merge to form Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma KG.
1998: Sale of Boehringer Ingelheim Backmittel GmbH
Boehringer Ingelheim Backmittel GmbH is sold.
1999: Launch of Micardis®
1999 sees the launch of Micardis®, a product used in the treatment of hypertension.
1999: Founding of IMBA (Institute for Molecular Biotechnology)
The IMBA is founded on the basis of a joint initiative of Boehringer Ingelheim and the Austrian Academy of Sciences in Vienna.
2000: Launch of Metalyse®
2000 sees the launch of Metalyse®, a drug used in the treatment of heart attacks.
2000: Inauguration of Boehringer Ingelheim Centre
The Boehringer Ingelheim Centre, the new international corporate headquarters, sets new standards in Ingelheim. It symbolises the company’s move into the 21st century.
2002: Launch of Spiriva®
The COPD product Spiriva® is launched.
2002: Inauguration of new active ingredient plant in Ingelheim
The active ingredient plant for producing new and innovative active ingredients (investment: EUR 180 million) is inaugurated.
2003: Inauguration of new biopharmaceutical active ingredient plant in Biberach
Boehringer Ingelheim invested more than EUR 255 million in the expansion of its biopharmaceutical active ingredient production facilities in Biberach, the corporation's largest single investment to date.
2004: Acquisition of microParts
Boehringer Ingelheim acquires the micro-technology company STEAG microparts GmbH from STEAG AG Essen, which since then has been based in Dortmund under the name Boehringer Ingelheim microParts GmbH.
2005: Launch of Aptivus®
2005 sees the launch of the HIV drug Aptivus®.
2005: Kickoff for “Lead & Learn”, a new set of guiding principles giving a major impulse for the Boehringer Ingelheim vision “Value through Innovation”
2006: Award for family-friendly commitment
Boehringer Ingelheim receives an award for its family-friendly commitment with the "berufundfamilie" ("work and family") certificate.
2007: Christian Boehringer appointed Chairman of Shareholders’ Committee
Christian Boehringer is appointed Chairman of the Shareholders’ Committee. As a result, management of the supreme decision-making committee is once again, for the first time in 16 years, in the hands of an descendent of the company’s founder.
2007: Laying of foundation stone for state-of-the-art atomisation factory in Dortmund
The company invests EUR 70 million in a state-of-the-art atomisation factory to expand its production capacity for the Respimat® Soft Inhaler.
2007: SCIENCE votes Boehringer Ingelheim as No. 1 employer
According to a survey conducted by the respected specialist periodical Science, Boehringer Ingelheim is No.1 employer of 2007 in the pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceuticals sector.
2008: Launch of Pradaxa®
In March 2008, Pradaxa®, which is used in the prevention of thromboses and pulmonary embolisms following knee and hip-joint replacement operations, receives Europe-wide approval.
2008: Inauguration of LogiPack centre in Ingelheim
At the Ingelheim site, EUR 49 million was invested in a new packaging centre, the LogiPack centre. With 14 packaging lines, this facility has the capacity to produce up to 250 million medicine packages each year.
2009: Hubertus von Baumbach joins company's Board of Managing Directors
Hubertus von Baumbach joins the company's Board of Managing Directors and is responsible for the Finance and Animal Health divisions. This means that for the first time since the death of Hubertus Liebrecht in 1991, a member of the owning family, sitting on the company's Board of Managing Directors, is responsible for Boehringer Ingelheim’s operational business.
2009: Inauguration of PUROS
On 6 May, Boehringer Ingelheim inaugurates a new production site (PUROS) designed to produce an innovative anticoagulant for patients all over the world. With an overall budget of EUR 64 million, the expansion of the building is one of the biggest single investments ever made by this research-based pharmaceuticals company at its head office in the Rhine-Hessian region. In a process involving three complex steps, this facility will produce active agent pellets for the new product. This investment also creates 60 new jobs.
2010: 125th anniversary
Boehringer Ingelheim celebrates its 125th anniversary.
125-Years Jubilee: Backgrounder, Aug. 2010 (PDF, 1.5MB)
125-Years Jubilee: Portrait Boehringer Ingelheim, Aug. 2010 (PDF, 663MB)
125-Years Jubilee: Portrait Albert Boehringer, Aug. 2010 (PDF, 780 KB)
125-Years Jubilee: Chronicle Boehringer Ingelheim, Aug. 2010 (1.8 MB)
2011: PRADAXA® receives approval for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation and Trajenta® (linagliptin) receives approval for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in Europe
August 4, 2011 - Breakthrough therapy PRADAXA® (dabigatran etexilate) first drug in 50 years to gain approval for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation in EU.
August 25, 2011: Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) received Marketing Authorisation from the European Commission for Trajenta® (linagliptin) for the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes in Europe.
2011: Inauguration of the Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB) at the University of Mainz
Inauguration of the Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB) at the University of Mainz, a modern research centre funded by the Boehringer Ingelheim Foundation. On the occasion of the 125th anniversary of Boehringer Ingelheim, the foundation dedicated 100 million euros (approx. 140 million US dollars) for a period of ten years to cover the scientific running of the IMB. This core funding ensures that 12 scientist-groups consisting of about 180 jobs are able to conduct basic research on the highest international level.
2012: Launch of Jentadueto®
Launch of Jentadueto®, a fixed combination used for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes
2012: Boehringer Ingelheim opens its European Research Center for animal vaccines in Hanover
The Boehringer Ingelheim European Veterinary Research Center in Hanover (BIVRC) is dedicated solely to the examination of diseases of farm animals.
2013: Boehringer Ingelheim funds research at the University of Mainz
Boehringer Ingelheim Foundation funds the Biology research department at University of Mainz and the construction of a new building near the Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB) with a 50 million euro donation.
2013: Approval of Gilotrif® / Giotrif®
As the first cancer drug resulting out of Boehringer’s own research and development, Afatinib receives approval for the treatment of a particular form of lung cancer. In the US, the product is named Gilotrif® and in Germany and other countries Giotrif®.
2013: Launch of Striverdi® Respimat®
Launch of Striverdi® Respimat® for the prolonged treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
2014: Launch of Jardiance®
Launch of Jardiance® (Empagliflozin) for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes.
2014: Inauguration of the expanded Respimat® production in Dortmund
The inauguration of the expanded Respimat® production site in Dortmund with an investment of 100 million euros increases the annual Respimat® production to 44 million units.
2014: Launch of Ofev®
Launch of Ofev® (Nintedanib) for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).
2014: Launch of Vargatef®
Launch of Vargatef® (Nintedanib) for the treatment of lung cancer.
2014: New office building in Ingelheim: BI 5
Employees move into their new office building BI 5 in Ingelheim which offers more than 1200 workstations.
2015: Extension of Diabetes Portfolio
US Launch of Glyxambi® for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes.
Abasaglar®, developed through the Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly & Co Alliance, is the first approved insulin biosimilar worldwide. The biosimilar’s active ingredient is the insulin glargine.
Launch of the single-pill combination therapy Synjardy® for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes.
2015: Launch of Spiolto® Respimat® / Stiolto® Respimat®
Launch of Spiolto® Respimat® / Stiolto® Respimat®, which is a once-daily maintenance treatment to relieve symptoms in adult patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The product is named Stiolto® Respimat® in the US, and Spiolto® Respimat® in Germany and other countries.