Boehringer Ingelheim Establishes Global Support Program for COVID-19

Boehringer Ingelheim is stepping up its efforts in combating COVID-19. The company has established a Global Support Program to deliver increased financial assistance, protective equipment and pharmaceutical donations to healthcare institutions and communities in need worldwide. Through this program, the local relief global support fund has been raised to EUR 5.8 million. Expansion is expected for the international IMI CARE Consortium, established by Boehringer Ingelheim and comprising over 100 scientists who have been conducting COVID-19 research since January for more than 11,000 laboratory hours. Up to 10 days of paid leave will be granted to 51,000 Boehringer Ingelheim employees who wish to participate in volunteer work.

EUR 580,000 support fund has been allocated for "Making More Health" communities and social entrepreneurs in India and Kenya.

Research-focused pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim, which has significantly increased its support in combating COVID-19, has established a Global Support Program to deliver increased financial assistance, protective equipment and pharmaceutical donations to healthcare institutions and communities in need worldwide. Emphasizing the importance of extending a helping hand to patients and those caring for them, Hubertus von Baumbach, Chairman of the Board of Management of Boehringer Ingelheim, stated: "Many of our employees want to participate in the Global Support Program. We also provide paid leave options to those willing to volunteer. Within the scope of the program, we provide important support such as donations, participate in scientific projects, and deliver assistance to communities in developing regions of Kenya and India with which we have had relations for 10 years. In addition, the motivation I see in my colleagues who work dedicatively to ensure the continuation of our pharmaceutical production is dedicated to countless people suffering from COVID-19. We extend our best wishes to patients and their loved ones." Boehringer Ingelheim initially launched a EUR 1 million donation program in January for the regions of China most affected by the disease. As coronavirus spread globally and turned into a pandemic, efforts to provide assistance and scientific support increased significantly. The Global Support Program created due to COVID-19 focuses on four main areas:

EUR 5.8 million for material donations

Boehringer Ingelheim has allocated EUR 5.8 million for monetary and in-kind donations to contribute to local urgent needs in the countries where it operates. Within this scope, it provides material support such as protective masks, disinfectants, ventilators and medicines. The company also works together with local organisations in the countries where it operates that benefit from monetary and pharmaceutical donations to assist patients.

Volunteer work support for 51,000 employees

In this epidemic, where there is an urgent need for the assistance of volunteers, particularly those with medical or nursing training, Boehringer Ingelheim provides up to 10 days of paid leave to 51,000 employees who wish to join approved external organisations and volunteer for COVID-19 relief work. For employees unable to perform their work at their workplace or at home, the company offers the opportunity to volunteer for longer periods until they return to work, while guaranteeing they receive their regular salaries during this time.

Research efforts for COVID-19 treatment continue without pause

The research and development team, established by Boehringer Ingelheim with over 100 scientists working in the Research and Development field and steadily growing, continues to contribute to projects aimed at finding potential treatment solutions for COVID-19 since January. Dr. Cyrille Kuhn, Research Director leading the COVID-19 process and noting that the team's efforts have increased thanks to the growing number of business partners, stated: "We are all thinking about how we can find new ways to fight this virus. As a result of these studies, a broad program emerged that pursues many approaches in parallel. Most of the projects are being conducted within broader collaborations with academics, biotechnology companies and other pharmaceutical companies. Boehringer Ingelheim has committed to over 11,000 hours of research and development work to the IMI CARE Consortium, which is among these initiatives." In addition to all these activities, Boehringer Ingelheim also participates in the "Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation COVID-19 Therapeutic Accelerator" program. As this work evolves, the company will continue to contribute to the search for treatments with additional experts from various disciplines and expanded laboratory capacity.

Making More Health Support Fund

Within the scope of the Boehringer Ingelheim "Making More Health" initiative, an EUR 580,000 support fund has been established to support social entrepreneurs in Kenya and India in their initiatives to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread in the communities where they live and work. The fund will invest in social enterprise ideas aimed at reducing the risk of epidemic spread as well as help sustain the operations of social enterprises during periods of lower economic activity. Jean Scheftsik de Szolnok, Board Member and one of the founders of the MMH movement, noting that social entrepreneurs worldwide are supporting those in need, particularly during these difficult times, stated: "Groups in India helping their own communities or Making More Health communities such as albino patients in Kenya have begun producing soap and also providing hygiene awareness training in their own neighbourhoods. In recent years, over 750 students from the MMH school in Kenya and India and approximately 1,000 families from farmer cooperatives have been trained on hygiene and soap production." Continuing its activities focused on the wellbeing of people and animals with global communities, Boehringer Ingelheim is continuing the support work it started in January, doing everything possible to make a meaningful contribution to the fight against COVID-19. The company continues to support health systems through reliable pharmaceutical supply and research.