B.Ingelheim Launches Centralised Platform for Pre-Clinical Molecules
German drugmaker, Boehringer Ingelheim has now unveiled opnME.com, a centralized platform which offers free and open access to selected preclinical molecules for the non-clinical investigation to scientists around the world.
Through opnMe.com, molecules for some of the most relevant targets in biomedical research are shared, thereby creating possibilities for further independent and collaborative discovery as well as the identification of novel treatment approaches for patients.
“Working together with scientists across the world, we can accelerate research in a wide range of biomedical research areas, “ said Clive R. Wood, Ph.D., Senior Corporate Vice President, Discovery Research at Boehringer Ingelheim. “This exciting new initiative further expands Boehringer Ingelheim’s global external innovation footprint and will help unlock the full potential of some of our most interesting compounds. By sharing these compounds with scientists around the world, we will advance scientific research and expect to spark discoveries that will lead to safe and effective new medicines for patients.”
opnME.com represents another of Boehringers initiatives to drive research and collaboration in the industry, joining the likes of the company’s Research Beyond Borders and the Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund initiatives.
The available molecules are divided into two distinct
groups. For the most part, molecules are offered via a simple shopping cart system and do not require any specific intellectual property discussion. For the remaining molecules, a crowdsourcing option is available which is designed to facilitate collaboration. These molecules require a research proposal to be submitted, and if it is successful, the chosen candidate will work together with Boehringer scientists on research and development on the project.The majority of the molecules are available for order directly off the website. Researchers will obtain 5 mg of the selected compound free of charge and be under no IP or data sharing an obligation to Boehringer for resulting discoveries.
Certain molecules on the platform may only be accessed through a joint research collaboration with Boehringer. “Our Molecules for collaboration are unique substances, and in many cases, we will be the first group to disclose and share with the scientific community compounds addressing a particular mechanism of action and/or having specific properties,” Boehringer wrote on the opn.ME website. Scientists must submit research proposals to access these molecules.
Select collaboration projects may also be eligible for initial kick-start funding from Boehringer.
Clive Wood adds, “I invite interested scientists worldwide to visit opnMe.com to access our molecules. We will measure the success of this initiative in terms of new experiments, publications and relationships forged. This approach to open innovation reflects our determination to break down barriers to the advancement of biomedical research and bring breakthrough medicines to patients.”
