Manufacturer-Foundation partnership to increase PF research

The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) and Boehringer Ingelheim’s new 5-year partnership, aims to raise awareness of pulmonary fibrosis (PF), provide disease education and advance care and funding research for the PF community – including patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Boehringer Ingelheim manufactures OFEV (nintedanib), an effective drug to treat IPF. 

The new partnership will primarily focus on 2 of the PFF’s signature programs: The Care Center Network (CCN) and the multi-center PFF Patient Registry. “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, president and CEO of the PFF. “This investment comes at a critical time when such funding is needed in order to advance research as the PFF transforms the patient experience.” 

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“This 5-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. “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.” 

By the end of this year, the CCN will be expanded to 40 sites. CCN sites will have the option of applying to participate in the soon-to-be-launched national PFF Patient Registry, which will collect patient data to facilitate ongoing research. 

The PFF Patient Registry will permit researchers, through the contribution of medical data by patients, to gain a better understanding of how different forms of PF progress, who is affected by PF and how patients respond to different treatments. Data from the Registry will help inform best practices in care and identify potential treatment targets, according to the Foundation. 

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Other PFF signature programs that will receive further funding from Boehringer Ingelheim include the PFF Ambassador program, the PFF Support Group Leader Network, the PFF Disease Education Webinar Series and disease education materials.

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