$3 million gift in pharmacoepidemiology
As McGill prepares to celebrate half a century of research excellence in epidemiology, biostatistics and occupational health, it has announced the creation of the Albert Boehringer (1st) Chair in Pharmacoepidemiology, made possible through a $3 million gift from Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada), Ltd.
Bridging the disciplines of pharmacology and epidemiology, pharmacoepidemiology examines the use and effect of drugs to assess their overall benefits, as well as possible adverse effects, for defined populations. Establishing a Chair not only gives McGill’s Faculty of Medicine the means to fund a world-class scholar in the field, it also will help attract new, talented students and fellows to pursue research leading to improved treatments for diseases.
"We thank Boehringer Ingelheim for this very generous gift, which will enable McGill to continue to build the necessary capacity and research excellence in this important health sciences field," said Prof. Suzanne Fortier, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of McGill University.
Christian Boehringer, Chair of the Shareholders’ Committee at Boehringer Ingelheim, said “We are honoured to support scientific excellence and the development of young scientists in Canada in the field of Pharmacoepidemiology with the help of a leading university like McGill University. This engagement is part of a global effort to support scientific excellence in research with the ultimate goal to create leading medication for patients in need.”
"This news is particularly welcome, as we mark the 50th anniversary of our unit,” said Dr. Gilles Paradis, head of the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health. "The Albert Boehringer (1st) Chair in Pharmacoepidemiology, together with the new master’s, PhD and post-doctoral opportunities we will offer, opens an essential pathway and new possibilities in our research into population health, public health and evidence-based medicine.”
The Albert Boehringer (1st) Chair in Pharmacoepidemiology is named in honour of Albert Boehringer (1st), who founded Boehringer Ingelheim in Germany in 1885.
About Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd.
The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world’s 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, Boehringer Ingelheim operates globally with 142 affiliates and a total of more than 47,400 employees. The focus of the family-owned company, founded in 1885, is researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing new medications of high therapeutic value for human and veterinary medicine.
Taking social responsibility is an important element of the corporate culture at Boehringer Ingelheim. This includes worldwide involvement in social projects, such as the initiative “Making more Health” and caring for the employees. Respect, equal opportunities and reconciling career and family form the foundation of the mutual cooperation. In everything it does, the company focuses on environmental protection and sustainability.
The Canadian headquarters of Boehringer Ingelheim was established in 1972 in Montreal, Quebec and is now located in Burlington, Ontario. Boehringer Ingelheim employs more than 550 people across Canada.
