22 June 2026
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic and progressive neurodegenerative disorder driven by complex and interconnected biological mechanisms, including mitochondrial and lysosomal dysfunction, inflammation, and impaired protein homeostasis. A growing body of evidence highlights the central role of lysosomal dysfunction in PD pathogenesis. Despite this, reliable and accessible biomarkers reflecting lysosomal impairment, particularly in the prodromal or early stages of the disease, are still lacking.
Addressing this gap is critical to enable patient stratification and the development of targeted, disease-modifying therapies. Through this opn2EXPERTS call on opnMe, we invite researchers to submit innovative proposals addressing the following question:
How would you propose to identify a CSF-, blood-, or urine-based biomarker to stratify early Parkinson’s disease patients according to the degree of lysosomal dysfunction?
We are particularly interested in approaches that:
- Target prodromal and/or early-stage PD to enable meaningful patient stratification
- Use accessible human samples (e.g., blood, CSF, urine)
- Specifically reflect lysosomal dysfunction or activity
- Provide robust, quantitative readouts
- Are translatable across systems, including preclinical models and relevant in vitro platforms
Submissions may include molecular biomarkers (e.g., proteins, lipids, metabolites) and innovative analytical approaches. Fluid-based biomarkers are prioritized; imaging approaches are secondary.
Selected teams will have the opportunity to collaborate closely with Boehringer Ingelheim’s Neuroscience Research experts and receive funding support, structured around clearly defined project milestones.
Submit your proposal now. Proposals will only be accepted if received through September 1, 2026, 11:59 pm PST.
No registration required
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About our opn2EXPERTS question:
How would you propose to identify a CSF-, blood-, or urine-based biomarker to stratify early Parkinson’s disease patients according to the degree of lysosomal dysfunction? 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”, we enlist scientific advice on key scientific topics to fuel further drug discovery and deliver novel solutions that benefit unmet patient needs. Please note, another currently active, but independent opn2EXPERTS call invites individual scientists and start-up/companies with experience in identifying novel Parkinson’s disease targets to showcase their capabilities.