On Wednesday 1 March 2017 representatives from politics, business and science joined the opening of the new building of the Research Institute of Molecular Pathology in Vienna. 200 scientists from nearly 40 countries will continue their ground-breaking research in the new premises. With an investment of approximately 52 million euros, the main sponsor Boehringer Ingelheim provides an inspiring, architecturally ambitious framework for their work, which can be adapted to new methods and workflow requirements of the future.
The IMP is committed to elucidating basic molecular and cellular processes, in order to understand the details of complex biologic phenomena. Since its foundation over 30 years ago it has become one of the most prestigious international life science research institutes. Boehringer Ingelheim is the main sponsor of the IMP with an annual contribution of around 20 million Euros, without taking any influence on projects or research areas chosen by the IMP. The investment in the new IMP premises underlines Boehringer Ingelheim’s commitment to biomedical research. It is part of a strategic focus on emerging science that has the potential to deliver the next generations of breakthrough medicines.
“Basic research is the most important driver for future innovations and solution strategies, in particular in the field of medical advances”, says Jan-Michael Peters, Scientific Director of the IMP. Besides openness for ground-breaking ideas, a long-term research and investment focus is critical for success – two core elements, which are characteristic of the research strategy of the family-owned business Boehringer Ingelheim.
According to Clive R. Wood, Corporate Senior Vice President Discovery Research at Boehringer Ingelheim, “Boehringer Ingelheim pursues a long-term research and development strategy, which combines a focus on the company’s core therapeutic areas with exploration of emerging fields of science and technology. The sponsorship of the IMP is an important component of our strategy alongside an increasing emphasis on open innovation ranging from collaborations with academic groups and consortia to crowdsourcing initiatives.”
The new building is located in the heart of the ‘Vienna Biocenter’, the life science cluster of Vienna, and is connected to neighbouring institutes by a glass bridge. It is characterised by its modern architecture and sophisticated technology, which meets the level of renowned research centres in London and Boston, and guarantees research on the highest level. The new building aims to strengthen Europe and Austria in the global research and development enterprise.
Boehringer Ingelheim
Boehringer Ingelheim is one of the world’s 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, Boehringer Ingelheim operates presently with a total of some 50,000 employees worldwide.
The focus of the family-owned company, founded in 1885, is on researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing new medications of high therapeutic value for human and veterinary medicine.
Social responsibility is an important element of the corporate culture at Boehringer Ingelheim. This includes worldwide involvement in social projects through, for example, the initiative “Making More Health” while also caring for employees. Respect, equal opportunity and reconciling career and family form the foundation of mutual cooperation. The company also focuses on environmental protection and sustainability in everything it does.
In 2015, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of about 14.8 billion euros. R&D expenditure corresponds to 20.3 per cent of net sales.
For more information please visit www.boehringer-ingelheim.com
Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP)
The Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP) in Vienna, Austria is a basic biomedical research centre sponsored largely by Boehringer Ingelheim. Internationally regarded as a centre of excellence in molecular biology and genetics, the institute focuses its research on molecular and cell biology, including structural biology, disease mechanisms, and the emerging field of circuit neuroscience. It further aims to promote interdisciplinary research, bringing together expertise in optical engineering, computation, and bioengineering.
The IMP has an international reputation with partner institutes world-wide; locally, it cooperates closely with other research institutions of the Vienna Biocenter.
Read more about IMP: www.imp.ac.at