Ridgefield, Conn.-based Boehringer Ingelheim is collaborating with four major scientific partners to enrich research and development of novel therapeutic approaches for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

The four partners are the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Massachusetts General Hospital, Scripps Research Institute and Weill Cornell Medicine. The collaborations aim to identify and validate potential new therapeutic targets as well as identify biomarkers that offer the potential to address the significant unmet medical needs of patients suffering from IBD such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

“Academia-industry collaborations are an extraordinarily effective way to advance research and we recognize the importance of joining forces with leading experts to effectively develop innovative therapies,” said Clive Wood, senior corporate vice president of discovery research at Boehringer Ingelheim. “We must gain a better understanding of the mechanisms responsible for the onset and development of IBD-related diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. With these collaborations, we aim to transform the treatment of immune diseases to ultimately improve lives of patients and those who care for them.”

Boehringer Ingelheim scientists from around the world will work hand-in-hand with leading experts at the respective institutions to enhance the speed of cutting-edge research and to foster information sharing. The company also will provide scientific and technology support as well as research funding to the four scientific partners.