Boehringer Ingelheim has announced the launch of opnME.com, a new platform offering free and open access to selected pre-clinical molecules for a non-clinical investigation to scientists worldwide. 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.

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

"Working together with scientists across the world, we can accelerate research in a wide range of biomedical research areas," said Dr Clive R. Wood, 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."                          

The molecules are divided into two groups, offered under different conditions: The majority of molecules are offered without entering into intellectual property discussions via a simple shopping cart system.

For selected molecules, a crowdsourcing option offers the opportunity to initiate joint research projects. Scientists interested in such molecules for collaboration are invited to submit a research proposal. If the proposal is selected, the science will be developed together with Boehringer Ingelheim scientists.

This launch is part of Boehringer Ingelheim’s ongoing mission to further scientific research and medical progress through collaboration and innovation. Other initiatives include Research Beyond Borders and the Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund. They are part of the company’s long-standing and continuing work in core therapeutic areas of Cardiometabolic Diseases, Respiratory Diseases, Oncology, CNS Diseases and Immunology.

Dr 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"