Boehringer Ingelheim strengthens commitment to transforming lives in Vietnam

Could you elaborate on how the objective of Transforming Lives for Generations corresponds with your 25-year presence in Vietnam?

Cyndy B. Galimpin, general manager of Boehringer Ingelheim Vietnam

Our purpose at Boehringer Ingelheim is Transforming Lives for Generations. Transforming Lives signifies the influence of our work in the healthcare sector and beyond, while for Generations emphasises our long-term approach and dedication, which underlines our focus on sustainability.

Boehringer Ingelheim Vietnam focuses on two primary sectors, Human Pharma and Animal Health, both aimed at enhancing the wellbeing of people and animals.

We have pioneered treatments for various diseases, including hypertension, cardio-renal metabolism, respiratory issues, oncology, and diabetes. With 7 per cent of Vietnam's population suffering from diabetes as per World Health Organization statistics, and potentially more undiagnosed cases, our therapies contribute to improving the quality of life for individuals.

We take great pride in our Angels Initiative, which assists hospitals worldwide in becoming stroke-ready to provide prompt and effective treatment for stroke patients. In Vietnam, Boehringer Ingelheim Vietnam partners with the Vietnam Stroke Association, the Ho Chi Minh City Stroke Association, and local hospitals to improve stroke care.

In 2022, 120 hospitals joined the Angels Initiative with 98 stroke-ready hospitals. To date, more than 44,000 patients in Vietnam have been positively impacted by this initiative.

We recently signed an MoU with the Department of Medical Service Administration and the Vietnam Ministry of Health (MoH) to optimise healthcare outcomes for patients. This partnership aims to improve the quality of diagnosis, treatment, and management of cardiovascular, renal, metabolic, pulmonary, and other non-communicable diseases.

Additionally, the MoU hopes to add cost-effective value to treatments and contribute to improving the quality of life for patients.

Are there any milestones this year?

This year marks the 25^th anniversary of our Human Pharma division and the 15^th anniversary of our Animal Health division in Vietnam.

Moreover, the MoH has granted approval for our SGLT2 inhibitor product to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalisation due to heart failure. This development will benefit more patients and enhance heart failure treatment in Vietnam, where the National Institute of Cardiology estimates that 1-2 per cent of the population is affected by heart failure.

We also anticipate receiving future approval for treating patients with chronic kidney disease. Prompt treatment increases the likelihood of recovery, which is a goal shared by all involved.

Could you provide information on Boehringer Ingelheim's sustainable development goals in Vietnam?

Sustainability has always been part of Boehringer Ingelheim and is closely aligned with our company's vision and mission. As a family-owned business, Boehringer Ingelheim plans in generations and for generations.

We strive to step up our contribution to the health of people and animals to ensure healthy communities and a healthy planet – for our own generation, and those that will follow us.

In Vietnam, we have initiated the Angels Initiative, which aims to reduce the burden of strokes for patients by partnering with hospitals to build a network of stroke-ready facilities.

We believe that when animals are healthy, people are healthier too. The campaign Rabies Vaccination for the Community in Long An is a continuing collaboration with the local authorities and Boehringer Ingelheim’s partners to eliminate rabies in the region. This program has vaccinated more than 12,000 dogs and cats to date over the past three years.

Last year, we donated office equipment worth more than $10,000 to a non-governmental organisation that takes care of children with disabilities to help enhance their learning opportunities.

We also promote employee engagement through internal events such as our annual Value Through Innovation (VTI) Day, where our teams in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City support less fortunate people, rescued animals, and clean communal environments.

Boehringer Ingelheim Vietnam staff on VTI Day in Huu Nghi Village, Hanoi

Our business in Vietnam is progressing to achieve the group's commitment of carbon neutrality in all company operations (Scope 1 and 2) by 2030. Scope 1 covers all direct emissions on company sites, and Scope 2 adds all emissions from energy purchases.

We are in transition to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and single-use plastic throughout our operations, and are collaborating with partners to impact our value chain.

What is your development strategy for Vietnam over the next few years?

Boehringer Ingelheim's development strategy for Vietnam is focused on making a positive impact for many years. As a family-owned company, we are driven by innovative approaches to address the unmet medical needs of generations of patients.

Our goal for the next five years is to double the number of patients we reach and focus on developing our employees by providing opportunities for talent to grow within.

Boehringer Ingelheim Vietnam has grown from 50 employees to around 350 in 25 years, across both our Human Pharma and Animal Health divisions. We are honoured to have been recognised as one of the top 15 Top Global Employers and a Top Employer in Vietnam for the fourth consecutive year.

Stiff rivalry enables Elanco ambitions The United States-based Elanco Animal Health’s ambitions to acquire one of its largest competitors would likely put it in a dominant position in the market for antimicrobial drugs for pigs in Vietnam – but it would still face fierce competition from rivals like Zoetis, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Merck & Co.