Boehringer opens new Japanese R&D center

German drugmaker Boehringer Ingelheim has opened a new Japanese research facility in Kobe Port Island. The center, which has been relocated from Kawanishi, Hyogo Prefecture and newly established, bucks the trend of foreign pharmaceutical firms such as Pfizer, Merck & Co and Bayer closing their Japanese operations as part of global business restructuring plans (Marketletters passim).

Andreas Barner, vice chairman of Boehringer's board of managing directors, told journalists at the opening that having an R&D function in Japan will allow the firm to respond to the needs of the local market.

He explained: "there are some things we are unable to do unless we stay in Japan in order to conduct new approaches in R&D." As a result of its location, Boehringer has developed new formulations of Micardis (telmisartan) for the treatment of hypertension and Mobic (meloxicam) for inflammation that are appropriate for Japanese patients.