How opnMe expands the open science ecosystem to advance independent research in diseases with unmet needs
5 June 2025
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We recently had the opportunity to speak to Steven Johnsen, Scientific Director of the Robert Bosch Center for Tumor Diseases, in Stuttgart / Germany, and Thomas Ekstrom, a doctoral researcher in his lab. In this interview, they share their experience on how opnMe’s freely accessible, high-quality chemical probes enabled them to advance their research on transcriptional regulation in pancreatic cancer. They also talk about the impact of open science on their work and the potential of their research findings to reshape future therapeutic strategies in the field of pancreatic cancer.
opnMe: How has opnMe helped you advance your research?
Steven Johnsen: opnMe has been instrumental in advancing our research by providing access to state-of-the-art molecules, particularly in the areas of transcriptional regulation and epigenetic inhibition. Beyond the glucocorticoid receptor agonist, BI 653048, we have utilized MZ1, a BET-PROTAC, as well as various bromodomain inhibitors and bromodomain inhibitor-based PROTACs. This support has been invaluable, allowing us to conduct studies that would have been challenging, if not impossible, had we needed to purchase each molecule individually.
Thomas Ekstrom: opnMe has been critical in providing robust, well-curated small molecules to advance our research. Importantly, compounds such as BI-653048 are expensive and opnMe significantly lowered the barrier to push the project forward and perform experiments that would not otherwise be possible.
opnMe: In what way has opnMe changed your opinion about open science or open innovation?
Steven Johnsen: I have been a strong advocate for open science and open innovation for many years. One of the most compelling examples is the work of Stefan Knapp and Jay Bradner, who made JQ1, a BET bromodomain inhibitor, publicly available long before it was even published. This approach was revolutionary, and its scientific impact is evident from the vast number of publications that followed. opnMe has not only upheld this standard but has significantly expanded the open science ecosystem, making a profound impact on research accessibility and collaboration.
Thomas Ekstrom: opnMe has further reinforced my opinion about open science and innovation from the scientific impact from this program in terms of publications, scientific collaborations, and creating a platform for scientists to evaluate novel hypothesis from making science accessible.
opnMe: How did you experience your interaction with the opnMe team and our scientists?
Steven Johnsen: Our interactions with the opnMe team have always been extremely positive. Responses are prompt, chemicals are delivered quickly, and the process is seamless. The efficiency and ease of access provided by opnMe have had a substantial and positive influence on our research.
Thomas Ekstrom: Fantastic! Ordering molecules is efficient and easy! I had recently been able to meet the many scientists that contribute to opnMe at the EUbOPEN seminar*. This even further strengthened my opinion on opnMe, seeing how much effort and care they put into every compound.
opnMe: How did you find the glucocorticoid receptor agonist on opnMe, and how did you feel when you found it available?
Steven Johnsen & Thomas Ekstrom: We identified the glucocorticoid receptor agonist BI 653048 through a small chemical library screen conducted in a recent study. This library included many inhibitors from opnMe, forming part of a donated chemical probe collection. It was during this unbiased screen that we came across the molecule, highlighting the critical role of such open-access resources in accelerating discovery.
opnMe: How do you feel now about the potential impact of your work in the field of pancreatic cancer research?
Steven Johnsen: This is an exciting and evolving area of research. Both our recent publication1 and a follow-up study highlight the complex role of the glucocorticoid receptor in pancreatic cancer, showing both tumor-promoting and tumor-suppressive effects. Much more research is needed to fully understand these dynamics, but I am optimistic that our work will contribute to improved patient treatment strategies in the future.
Thomas Ekstrom: Super exciting! Although we show only a small picture of the role that glucocorticoids play in pancreatic cancer and more research is needed to uncover the pleiotropic effects of the glucocorticoid receptor, we highlight an incredibly important aspect of a potential therapeutic intervention option for pancreatic cancer patients.
opnMe: What other feedback would you like to provide to us?
Steven Johnsen: Keep up the great work! opnMe is a fantastic platform and expanding collaborative interactions—especially with emerging molecules—could significantly accelerate progress in the field and ultimately improve patient outcomes.
opnMe: Thank you Steven and Thomas for sharing your insights and experiences. Your passion for advancing cancer research and your advocacy for open science are truly inspiring.
Curious to learn more about how our freely available glucocorticoid receptor agonist helped drive this groundbreaking research? Join our live online seminar on June 24, 2025, where Thomas Ekstrom will present the full story behind their discoveries and discuss how open science initiatives such as opnMe played a pivotal role in their work. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with the experts, learn more about open science, and get inspired for your own research.
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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 our “opn2EXPERTS” and “techMATCH” programs, 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.
References:
1 Ekstrom T. L., Rosok R. M., Abdelrahman A. M., Parassiadis C., Manjunath M., Dittrich M. Y., Wang X., Kutschat A. P., Kanakan A., Rajput A., Schacherer N., Lukic T., Carlson D. M., Thiel J., Kopp W., Stroebel P., Ellenrieder V., Gaedcke J., Dong M., Najafova Z., Truty M. J., Hessmann E., Johnsen S. A. Glucocorticoid receptor suppresses GATA6-mediated RNA polymerase II pause release to modulate classical subtype identity in pancreatic cancer. Gut. 2025, Jan 30. DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2024-334374.
*EUbOPEN, part of the Innovative Health Initiative (IHI), held its member meeting on March 5-6, 2025, in Ingelheim, Germany.
Photo Steven Johnsen, Bosch Health Campus by Christoph Schmidt