Boehringer Ingelheim has completed a €105 million investment to expand associated production operations at its sites in Dortmund and Ingelheim in Germany.
The milestone comes at a time when the company's next-gen Respimat inhaler hits the first European markets. Boehringer said additional production capacity is now available for this medical device.
“The volume of the investment and further development of Respimat demonstrate Boehringer Ingelheim’s long-term commitment to combating serious respiratory diseases,” said Country Manager Dr Sabine Nikolaus. “This also underscores our commitment to Germany as a production location.”
Differing from other application systems for inhaler-based therapies, Respimat produces a soft, slow-moving and long-lasting mist while allowing a high percentage of the active ingredient to be deposited deep in the lungs.
The new Respimat has the same well-established features but is now even more user-friendly, reusable and consequently better for the environment.
Multimillion infrastructure
Boehringer said additional production space for another flexible assembly line was set up in Dortmund for the new Respimat. Of the total investment, €78 million went towards this development and production site, while the remaining €27 million was invested in Ingelheim for purchasing new machinery, equipment, and materials for an additional packaging line.
These two sites work hand-in-hand, meaning that the entire development and manufacturing process is carried out exclusively in Germany, making Boehringer Ingelheim unique in this respect.
Respimat is a unique, propellant-free inhaler and the basis of several inhaled respiratory medications from Boehringer Ingelheim.
As it is reusable, the new inhaler is more environmentally friendly than its predecessor. The cartridges can now easily be exchanged.
Users say the new Respimat is easier to prepare for daily use too. In addition, the dose indicator has been enlarged and colour marks indicate when the medication is nearly empty and the cartridge needs to be replaced.