Going the extra mile: The secret ingredient of the opnMe Molecules to order program

5 November 2024

We recently had the chance to speak to Laura-Marie Zimmermann, a former postdoctoral researcher at the University Hospital Cologne, about her experience with opnMe and her interaction with scientists from Boehringer Ingelheim. We met her in Singapore, where she has set up her own life science consulting business since then.

opnMe: How has opnMe helped you to advance your research? 

Laura-Marie Zimmermann: opnMe played a very prominent role during my PostDoc tenure at the University Hospital in Cologne by providing free access to a highly potent, novel MMP-13 inhibitor that wasn’t available elsewhere. For my preclinical studies, I needed a specific and highly potent inhibitor, and opnMe not only delivered the compound quickly, but also supplied a negative control compound, which greatly improved the quality of my experiments.

Being equipped with these powerful compounds is essential for running a successful preclinical study, but knowing how to apply them effectively and conduct high-quality assays is just as critical. My first challenge involved preparing and handling the compounds for a specific medical device application. When I reached out to the opnMe team for guidance, they responded within hours, offering hands-on expertise and guiding me step by step through the process. Their expert advice ensured there were no delays in starting my planned studies.

Another challenge I faced was conducting pharmacokinetics, as my lab lacked the necessary equipment. Once again, experts from Boehringer stepped in, offering to analyze the samples. Within just a few days, they provided comprehensive pharmacokinetics data, which looked brilliant and was invaluable for advancing my study.

The continuous support from the opnMe team and the scientists, sharing their practical knowledge, was truly a game changer for my project. Over the course of our four-year interaction, opnMe’s support was a key contributing factor in ensuring that the project maintained its momentum.

opnMe: What did you like in particular about your experience with our scientists? 

Laura-Marie Zimmermann: What I particularly appreciate is the personal connection we have built. Meeting individual experts and engaging in scientific discussions has been invaluable as we worked together to make advancements in my research project. The team consistently went the extra mile to provide me with tailored guidance that enhanced my work, transforming our relationship from a typical supplier-client dynamic into a true partnership.

I also valued their quick responses to my queries and their willingness to share their expertise, which has greatly accelerated my research progress. Engaging in meaningful discussions with their scientific leaders has been a rewarding experience. Overall, this interaction not only strengthened my project but also fostered a positive and inspiring environment that expedites scientific discovery.

I felt that our interactions were fueled by a shared commitment to science and innovation. I can say it has been a rewarding experience for me to partner with an organization that deeply values collaboration and making an impact for patients.

opnMe: In which way has opnMe changed your opinion about open science or open innovation? 

Laura-Marie Zimmermann: When I first ordered compounds from the opnMe platform, I expected it to be a simple transaction; just receiving the compounds and that would be the end of it. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the continuous engagement from the opnMe team. Their technical expertise, guidance, and personal support went beyond what I anticipated. This long-term collaboration helped shift my perspective on open science.

It’s not just about providing powerful compounds; it’s about the communication, collaboration, and tailored support that make open science so valuable. This approach significantly accelerates research by fostering deeper partnerships. The opnMe online seminar in March 2024 further highlighted this, as it gave me the opportunity to share my preclinical success story with scientists from all over the world. I believe this can drive innovation faster by promoting the exchange of insights and ultimately accelerating discoveries.

opnMe: Is there any other feedback that you would like to provide to us? 

Laura-Marie Zimmermann: Thank you for the incredible and rewarding partnership we have developed. Working with the opnMe team has been a remarkable experience, as we have pushed the boundaries of scientific discovery together while sharing a commitment to open science and innovation. This collaboration has further sparked my passion for preclinical studies and discoveries, which has partly led me to set up my own consultancy, Biorizon Consulting, focused on early research strategy. I wholeheartedly recommend that any scientist explore the opnMe platform, connect with the team, and discover how opnMe can enhance and elevate their research projects.

opnMe: Thank you Laura, for sharing your insights. It has been inspiring to learn more about your research work and passion for advancing science. 

If you want to learn more about Laura’s story and opnMe please also check out our article on Boehringer-Ingelheim.de (Please note: Page only in German).

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About Laura’s work:

Laura Zimmermann ordered BI-4394 , which is a highly potent inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase MMP-13 with excellent selectivity against several other matrix metalloproteinases. She used this compound to explore the inhibition of MMP-13 as a promising strategy to specifically stop aortic root diameter increase in the Marfan aorta¹.

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.