World's fastest growing pharma company consolidates regional presence

Visiting dignitaries include Dr. Alessandro Banchi, Chairman of the Board of Managing Directors and Dr. Engelbert Guenster, Head of Corporate Department Prescription Medicine Asia, Australasia and Africa.

The new office will function as the regional headquarters for around 200 employees in 18 countries. Mr. David Scotcher, Head of the Middle East Regional Office comments,

"Until recently, 18 countries in the Near and Middle East market reported to three different locations. This move will allow all key business functions such as Marketing, Medical, Finance, Human Resources and Administration to be regionally managed from one office. We are implementing these measures to improve the function of our business and ultimately to more effectively and efficiently serve our customers."

The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world's 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, it operates globally with 143 affiliates in 47 countries and almost 37,500 employees. Since it was founded in 1885, the family-owned company has been committed to researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing novel products of high therapeutic value for human and veterinary medicine. In 2005, Boehringer Ingelheim posted net sales of 9.5 billion euro, while spending almost one fifth of net sales in its largest business segment Prescription Medicines on research and development.

Boehringer Ingelheim was last year the fastest growing company among the major international pharmaceutical groups with a 23% growth ranking it as number 14. "Boehringer Ingelheim has entered the group of leading International pharmaceutical companies, not only in terms of sales growth, but also in terms of profits" confirmed Dr. Banchi.

Boehringer Ingelheim entered the Middle East market in 1960's and continues to provide innovation and technology for the treatment of respiratory, cardiovascular, central nervous system, urological and virological disorders. Since 1995 Boehringer Ingelheim has been actively involved in Phase II-IV international clinical trials in the area of Cardiovascular research involving over a thousand patients in major government hospitals in the U.A.E.

Dr. Guenster, Chairman of AAA Region, commented, "As the worlds fastest growing pharmaceutical company, Boehringer Ingelheim will continue to invest in the Middle East to improve healthcare provision. The new office is a firm indication that Boehringer Ingelheim is committed to the region and we expect to make further commitments in the years ahead."