The firm has turned to Weber Shandwick as it gears up to launch its Linagliptin drug in the UK.

Boehringer Ingelheim carried out the final trial stage for the drug earlier this year. Linaglipton is a treatment for type 2 diabetes. WS has been awarded the medical education and PR account for the drug, following a competitive pitch.

There are approximately 246 million people with diabetes in the adult population worldwide. The number is expected to soar to 380 million worldwide by 2025.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes, accounting for up to 95 per cent of all cases in the developed world.

WS MD for healthcare Lucie Harper will head up the account. Harper said of the appointment: 'Diabetes is an area we have a lot of experience in and Linaglipton is an exciting brand to work on.'

Diabetes hit the headlines earlier this year when it was reported that the number of people with the illness had soared by 50 per cent in just a year.

The surge represents one new sufferer every three minutes. The rise is being linked to obesity through poor diet and lack of exercise. There are currently 2.5 million people in the UK with diabetes and it is estimated that more than half a million people have the condition but do not know it.

Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world's 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, it operates globally with 138 affiliates in 47 countries and 41,300 employees.