In the first half of 2020, Boehringer Ingelheim has taken comprehensive measures to minimize the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its employees, patients and society and adopted measures to safeguard their employees’ well-being and health. 

 

“As families have lost loved ones and millions of people have suffered, the COVID-19 pandemic has and is still causing a great deal of pain to many. The economic and consequently societal impact this pandemic has had is unprecedented. Within our company, we have pulled together the people, the science and the knowledge we believe can contribute to finding a solution. As industry, academia, NGOs and governments have moved swiftly and in an aligned manner, we are convinced that a solution will be found for the benefit of all,” said Hubertus von Baumbach, Chairman of the Board of Managing Directors.  

 

Part of the global R&D efforts to overcome COVID-19
Boehringer Ingelheim has continuously stepped up its R&D efforts for the collective fight against COVID-19.

 

Global Support Program to mitigate the economic and social effects of the COVID-19 pandemic
In order to mitigate the economic and social effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Boehringer Ingelheim launched its Global Support Program in April 2020.  

 

Safeguarding the continued production and supply of medicines
Another key part of Boehringer Ingelheim’s activities in the first half of 2020 was safeguarding the continued production and supply of medicines to patients. This also includes the supply of treatments to pet and livestock owners for their animals. Boehringer Ingelheim operates more than two dozen production facilities globally for its three business areas Human Pharma, Animal Health and Biopharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing. Boehringer Ingelheim’s state-of-the-art production network with its strong footprint in Europe has helped the company to remain fully deliverable during the COVID-19 pandemic.    

 

Net sales growth in the first half of 2020
The business results of the first half year also reflect this strong commitment. Boehringer Ingelheim was able to continue the trend of 2019. The company generated net sales of 9.7 billion euros from January to June. Adjusted for currency effects, this equates to year-on-year growth of 4.4 percent (2019: 9.3 billion euros). Each of the three business areas contributed to this net sales growth. It is expected that some of this growth in the first half was driven by increased safety stock in the health care systems.

 

With Human Pharma, Boehringer Ingelheim’s largest business, the company achieved net sales of 7.1 billion euros in the first half of the year (2019: 6.8 billion euros). Adjusted for currency effects, this represents a year-on-year increase of 4.6 percent.

 

In the first half of 2020, Boehringer Ingelheim generated net sales of around 2.2 billion euros in the Animal Health business area (2019: 2.1 billion euros). Adjusted for currency effects, this represents a year-on-year increase of 4.2 percent.

 

Net sales of Biopharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing were significantly higher compared to the previous year’s level, at 318 million euros (2019: 273 million euros), due to favorable phase effects. Adjusted for currency effects, this represents a year-on-year increase of 16.5 percent. 

 

(Boehringer Ingelheim, press release, 3.8.2020, shortened)