Boehringer Ingelheim announces COPD award winner

Boehringer Ingelheim has announced the winner of the European Respiratory Society (ERS) COPD Research Award, an accolade sponsored by the firm.

The company said this year’s winner was Dr Esther Barreiro of the Municipal Institute of Medical Investigation/Hospital del Mar in Barcelona, Spain.

Sponsorship from Boehringer Ingelheim amounts to a single grant of 50,000 euros (38,905 pounds) to be used in scientific research projects in the field of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Dr Barreiro will be using this year’s funding for the study of the specific role of oxidative stress in respiratory and peripheral muscle dysfunction in patients with this condition.

This research provides the basis for future therapeutic strategies which hope to restore function and muscle mass.

Leonardo Fabbri, president of the ERS, said: “The ERS is delighted to receive so many applications at such a high standard this year and wishes to thank all applicants for their contributions.”

He added congratulations to Dr Barreiro and thanks to Boehringer Ingelheim for making the ERS COPD Research Award possible.

Last month, Boehringer Ingelheim and Pfizer released the results of a new trial analysis confirming the long-term safety profile of Spiriva (tiotropium) in patients with COPD.