Read the Conversation
EF: Acknowledging your 25 years at Boehringer Ingelheim- What makes Boehringer such an interesting company to work for?
AM: Boehringer is the biggest family-owned pharmaceutical company in the world, and its exceptional qualities are unmistakable. As a computer systems engineer, I started as an infrastructure manager, expanded into roles across various regions, became Country Managing Director in Singapore, then Argentina, and now leading operations for Mexico, overseeing Central America and the Caribbean. This exemplifies the opportunities this company offers, highlighting Boehringer's value for ambition and diversity. The company's commitment to taking risks and fostering talent development sets it apart in the market.
So far, my journey at Boehringer has been quite fun, and each day presents new challenges and opportunities, ensuring that boredom is never an issue.
EF: Why should we bring more investment to Mexico when it comes to innovation, R&D, and the enhancement of clinical trials?
Last year, Boehringer invested over 25% of our annual revenues—amounting to €5 billion—towards research and development. Considering not only our company but the broader landscape of Big Pharma, the scale of investment and the multitude of clinical trials underway to support patients worldwide are truly remarkable.
Even though the prolonged approval timelines for clinical trial protocols in Mexico pose challenges for attracting global investment, considering the vast population of over 130 million people and the robust public research infrastructure surpassing that of any other Latin American country, it is evident that Mexico has the potential to become a global research powerhouse. Boehringer alone invested nearly USD 90 million in clinical trials last year, underscoring our commitment to advancing research and innovation within the country.
By fostering collaboration and coordination and streamlining regulatory processes, we can effectively close the gap and fully leverage Mexico's research capabilities, fostering a conducive environment for innovation. In this sense, multiple players agree on Mexico’s potential to become a reference country in global clinical research. Through CANIFARMA, we are actively engaged in discussions with COFEPRIS to accelerate protocols and site approvals in Mexico and elevate Mexico to its rightful place in global research.
The Mexican health system faces challenges in incorporating innovative therapies, yet research protocols, even for rare diseases, can be conducted in public centers. For instance, running a protocol for a rare disease with 40 patients in Mexico, funded by the industry, could cover 70% of affected patients. This approach could lead to savings for the Social Security system. Collaboration between the pharmaceutical industry and the government is essential to capitalize on this opportunity.
EF: What can other companies learn from Boehringer when addressing healthcare threats in the animal-human environment interface?
AM: Boehringer is one of the few leading global companies in both the human pharma and animal health sectors. In Mexico, we operate two manufacturing facilities for human pharma, approved by the FDA, EMA, and COFEPRIS-, and products are distributed and exported throughout the region. Our facility in Xochimilco produces more than half of the oral antidiabetics sold in the US. This year, we plan to manufacture 55 million NPUs (monthly treatments), with over 70% designated for export and the remainder for distribution in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.
Our plant in Guadalajara is dedicated to animal health. This is a top-of-the-line vaccine manufacturing site for animal health, particularly poultry. We recently exported more than 100 million doses of avian influenza vaccines to the French government to immunize wild ducks and geese to avoid spreading this disease. This shows the remarkable bond between animal and human health, exemplified by efforts to vaccinate wild populations to prevent human infection.
Besides livestock, poultry, and swine, our products for domestic pets are one of the biggest and fastest-growing segments globally. Locally, we are working with the Mexican government on vaccine and rabies campaigns.
Boehringer Ingelheim aims to enhance its animal health segment globally, focusing on producing protein for human consumption and strengthening the bond between humans and animals. This connection has become increasingly relevant, highlighting the increase in pet acquisitions during the pandemic. Our mission extends beyond human pharma innovation; we seek to innovate the pet market and expand our presence in other countries.
EF: How can we use digital tools and AI to enhance the standard of diagnostics and early prevention in the pharmaceutical sector?
AM: Technology holds immense potential, especially in emerging markets like Latin America, where technology access is not as widespread. There is an opportunity to leverage technology to bridge healthcare gaps and reach underserved populations.
Boehringer is currently using data technology for researching new diseases, such as mental health disorders such as schizophrenia. We use mobile apps to assess cognitive impairment in schizophrenia patients, demonstrating innovative thinking in clinical trials. Combining the use of a chemical entity in addition to this mobile app has shown tremendous outcomes. This approach enhances patient care and sets a precedent for future technological advancements in the pharmaceutical industry. We are excited about launching a drug for Cognitive Impairment Associated Schizophrenia (CIAS) in the US and the EU and bringing this innovation to Mexico within the next few years.
On a preventive angle, we have also started to work with technology that uses imaging or scans to diagnose retinal diseases early and to avoid eyesight loss in the long run.
Mexico has embraced technology for virtual consultations, which proved invaluable during the pandemic. Boehringer Ingelheim was well-prepared for virtual visits and conducted virtual continuous medical education with physicians. Virtual field forces offer inclusivity and diversity opportunities, enabling colleagues who may face physical impairments to excel, such as one colleague in a wheelchair who is a top performer in conducting virtual visits. So, technology also enables our team to be more inclusive and diverse.
EF: Mexico has a lack of physicians and specialists. Is Boehringer involved in any initiative to make the healthcare sector more effective? What message would you send to the next generations of scientists and doctors to embrace a career in the healthcare sector?
AM: Globally, the demand for medical attention is rising alongside population growth, making a career in the medical field an obvious choice driven by the desire to help others. However, in Mexico, there is a need to broaden our understanding of health culture, particularly starting from early education. The impact that the classroom teacher in a kindergarten or elementary school has on the concept of health in the communities is tremendous, and we need to use it.
As part of the pharmaceutical industry, we hold ethical responsibility for providing continuous medical education to physicians, residents, and the broader community. For instance, addressing topics like managing Cognitive Impairment Associated Schizophrenia (CIAS), which remains culturally taboo and poorly understood among some physicians and psychiatrists in Mexico.
Boehringer Ingelheim has launched innovative initiatives to address these needs. For example, we introduced the first continuous medical education service akin to a "Netflix for physicians" called Boehringer Click. This platform offers symposia videos, talks by healthcare professionals, and product documentation.
Furthermore, our global non-product initiative, the Angels initiative, focuses on stroke management in hospitals. This involves reviewing hospital processes to ensure swift and effective stroke treatment. Boehringer Ingelheim's medical team has collected extensive data across Latin America, working with hospitals to optimize stroke patient care. Acting promptly can significantly reduce stroke symptoms, underscoring the pharmaceutical industry's responsibility to promote rapid response for the community's benefit.
EF: As you approach the milestone of celebrating Boehringer's 50th anniversary of production operations in Xochimilco, and the company's 70 years of presence in Mexico, what specific achievements do you anticipate celebrating by the end of this year?
AM: We have many reasons to celebrate. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has created great manufacturing conditions for Mexico. Boehringer has embraced this opportunity by relocating manufacturing sites from the US and Canada to Mexico. In this sense, the first Mexican manufacturing site was opened in 1973, although Boehringer has been in Mexico for 70 years with commercial operations.
Our Xochimilco plant, hailed as Boehringer's crown jewel, is our only manufacturing site for human pharma in Latin America that is strategically supplying the region and facilitating exports to the US. With certifications from major regulatory bodies and endorsements from associations like the Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) and Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT), our products flow seamlessly across borders. On the sustainability front, Boehringer is the first pharmaceutical company globally certified by the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS), a distinction we have maintained for four years.
This year, we are launching an inflammation product targeting Pustular Psoriasis Generalized, a rare disease. This biologic therapy promises rapid and long-lasting skin clearance, with COFEPRIS authorization and a summer launch target.
We will also celebrate Boehringer's continuous growth and commitment to its talent, which is highlighted by our Top Employer certification and one of the highest global scores among Boehringer sites.
Last year marked a significant milestone for us, initiating a new growth phase. As part of this evolution, we have rebranded under the new motto "Life forward," reflecting our commitment to continuous adaptation in a changing world. We will continue embarking on various initiatives to ensure Boehringer remains at the forefront of industry evolution as we approach our 150th anniversary in 2035.
