openRxiv Launches to Enhance Global Preprint Sharing in Life Sciences

In a groundbreaking move for the scientific community, openRxiv has officially launched as an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to overseeing bioRxiv and medRxiv. These platforms serve as the world’s leading preprint servers specifically tailored for the life and health sciences, allowing researchers to share their discoveries quickly and openly. The governance by researchers ensures that the platform remains aligned with the community's needs, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of scientific communication.

Dr. John Inglis, who is the Chair of the openRxiv Scientific and Medical Advisory Board and Co-Founder of both bioRxiv and medRxiv, emphasized the vision behind openRxiv: "We want openRxiv to be a home for all scientists, whether they're early-career researchers or established scholars from institutions of varying sizes across the globe." The commitment to maintaining independence is central to fostering collaboration and innovation within the scientific community.

The Role of Preprints

Since their inception, bioRxiv in 2013 and medRxiv in 2019 have revolutionized how scientific findings are disseminated. Together, they have hosted over 325,000 reports of new discoveries, allowing scientists to collaborate and build upon each other’s work at an unprecedented pace. The demand for rapid communication of scientific findings has only increased, especially during global health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, where timely information can save lives. To date, millions of readers have accessed thousands of manuscripts, published by scientists from over 140 countries, demonstrating the critical role preprints play in modern research.

The Transition to openRxiv

The establishment of openRxiv aims to augment the sustainability and adaptability of bioRxiv and medRxiv. Originally created as services of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, both platforms now transition under the nonprofit’s governance, which ensures that they advance in sync with the evolving needs of the research community. The independent nonprofit model of openRxiv allows it to focus squarely on enhancing preprint sharing without the financial pressures that typically affect commercial entities.

Dr. Richard Sever, Chief Science and Strategy Officer at openRxiv and Co-Founder of bioRxiv and medRxiv, highlighted the timeliness of this transition, explaining that preprints serve an indispensable role in accelerating discovery, particularly in crucial scientific fields and public health scenarios.

The Importance of Independence

openRxiv, recognized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was designed with several priorities in mind. Firstly, it aims for long-term sustainability, allowing all resources to be focused on improving preprint sharing. Secondly, it enjoys the flexibility to adapt responses directly to what the scientific community expresses, ensuring relevance and accessibility.

Key supporters of openRxiv include the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, and Yale School of Medicine, whose collaboration and funding have laid a solid foundation for this new venture. They all recognize that open science is vital in accelerating discoveries and improving global health outcomes.

Funding and Transparency

The initiative is set to diversify its funding to secure independence and ensure long-term financial health. Starting with the initial support from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, openRxiv seeks to establish a robust funding ecosystem that can sustain its mission. Stephen Quake, Head of Science at CZI, remarked on the vital infrastructure that openRxiv provides for sharing research freely, reinforcing the idea that a supportive ecosystem is crucial for scientific advancement.

Looking Ahead

With openRxiv fully operational, it represents a new chapter, further mainstreaming preprint sharing as a cornerstone of open scientific communication. The governance structure is designed to be reflective of the broader scientific community, advocating for transparency and global outreach. As more researchers are empowered to share findings early, openRxiv anticipates an acceleration in breakthroughs across life sciences and health research.

The launch of openRxiv signifies not just a new organizational structure, but a commitment to fostering innovation and cooperation in the global scientific endeavor. This initiative also signals a vibrant future for preprints, demonstrating their essential role in the broader landscape of research communication in an era where speed and collaboration are paramount.

For more details on openRxiv and its mission, visit openrxiv.org.