13 July 2026
Canine myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) is a progressive and highly prevalent cardiac condition, particularly affecting aging small‑ and medium‑breed dogs. While current treatment options can delay disease progression or control clinical signs in selected stages, it does not directly address the primary valve pathology or the biological mechanisms driving maladaptive tissue remodeling and fibrosis. As a result, MMVD remains one of the most important unmet medical needs in companion animal cardiology.
Through this opn2EXPERTS call on opnMe, we invite researchers from academia and industry, including start‑ups, biotech companies, and pharmaceutical organizations, to submit innovative proposals addressing the following question:
What novel or existing human therapeutic approaches targeting tissue remodeling or fibrosis would you propose to translate into interventions for canine myxomatous mitral valve disease?
Recognition of this area as comparatively underexplored motivates the inclusion of a broad range of approaches; for MMVD, this may include investigation of analogous mechanisms described in human liver cirrhosis, chronic kidney disease, systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), or Barlow’s disease.
We are particularly interested in human therapeutic programs or assets with demonstrated relevance to fibrotic or remodeling mechanisms, including small molecules, biologics, antibodies, peptides, and next‑generation modalities. Proposals supported by data (e.g., target engagement, mechanistic validation, or early efficacy) and advanced, collaboration‑ready programs are especially encouraged.
All submissions will be evaluated by Boehringer Ingelheim experts across scientific, translational, veterinary, and business disciplines. Successful proposals may be rewarded with tailored funding packages and collaboration opportunities aimed at advancing disease‑modifying therapies for canine MMVD.
Submit your ideas now! Proposals will only be considered if received by September 8, 2026, 11:59 pm PST.
No registration required
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About our opn2EXPERTS question:
What novel or existing human therapeutic approaches targeting tissue remodeling or fibrosis would you propose to translate into interventions for canine myxomatous mitral valve disease? With ambitious questions such as this, we share precisely formulated scientific questions with the research community as part of our opn2EXPERTS program. Together with winning teams, we intend to explore novel solutions for discovery research that will ultimately benefit the needs of patients.
About opnMe:
opnMe.com, the open science portal of Boehringer Ingelheim, fosters science and collaboration initiatives in areas of high unmet medical need. Our molecules are provided to the scientific community either free of charge as “Molecules to Order” or applied for via scientific research submissions as “Molecules for Collaboration”. With “opn2EXPERTS” and “techMATCH”, we enlist scientific advice on key scientific topics to fuel further drug discovery and deliver novel solutions that benefit unmet patient needs. Our "opn2TALENTS" postdoc grants at one of our research sites offer opportunities for high-level talents to propose innovative approaches for precisely defined scientific questions.