Meeting Agenda — Development of Safe, Effective, and Non-Addictive Pain Treatments

Cutting Edge Science Meeting Series to End the Opioid Crisis

8:30 a.m.
Welcome/Opening Remarks
Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D., Director, National Institutes of Health Overview of the NIH Opioid Research Initiative and goals for the meeting will be presented. Federal agency partner senior leaders will be acknowledged. Participants will be invited to introduce themselves, identify their organizational affiliation, and note their main area of focus in pain treatment research and development.

9:15 a.m.
Patient Perspectives on Chronic Pain and Its Treatment (presentation)
Speaker: Penney Cowan, Founder and CEO, American Chronic Pain Association

Observations on living with chronic pain, treatment access, and hopes for the future of pain treatment will be shared.

9:30 a.m.
Challenges in Maneuvering the Research Pipeline (case study presentations and group discussion)
Moderators: Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D. and Nora D. Volkow, M.D., Director, National Institute on Drug Abuse

Major challenges experienced in the medications development pipeline will be examined using case studies as examples.

11:00 a.m.
BREAK

11:15 a.m.
Current Landscape of Pain Treatment Research (presentation and group discussion)
Moderators: Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D. and Walter J. Koroshetz, M.D.,Director, National Institute on Neurological Disorders and Stroke Advances in pain treatment research will be summarized, highlighting compounds in development. Future directions of pain treatment research will be discussed with a targeted focus on developing safer opioids, novel/repurposed non-opioid medications, and drug combinations.

12:45 p.m.
LUNCH (pre-purchased box lunch)

1:30 p.m.
Partnering Opportunities to Expedite Pain Treatment Research (group discussion)
Moderators: Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D., and Nora D. Volkow, M.D. Discussions will focus on identifying opportunities for partnerships to address cross-cutting obstacles (e.g., lack of biomarkers, regulatory decision-making, patient access, NIH grant policies and procedures). Senior federal officials will be available to discuss relevant programs, initiatives, and resources to expedite these partnerships.

3:00 p.m.
BREAK

3:15 p.m.
Summary and Next Steps (presentation and group discussion)
Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D., Nora D. Volkow, M.D., and Walter J. Koroshetz, M.D.

Key issues discussed will be summarized. Strategies for how public-private partnerships can enhance development of safe and effective pain treatments will be discussed. Follow-up steps will be identified.

4:30 p.m.
ADJOURN