HEAL Pain Research Priorities Workshop: Non-Addictive Pain Therapeutics Development

The NIH HEAL Initiative^® is developing a strategic plan to establish research priorities for the next phase of the initiative that builds upon its progress to date and ensures that the initiative continues to evolve to provide the greatest benefit to individuals affected by substance use and those living with pain. The strategic plan will draw on input from an array of stakeholders—including scientists, health care providers, advocacy groups, and people with lived and living experience—as well as existing research frameworks. NIH sought input on the HEAL pain research priorities from the research community and people with lived experience with pain in this public workshop.

Co-led by John Markman and Ted Price, presentations and discussion will center around the importance of understanding basic mechanisms of nociception and pain; pre-clinical and clinical translational challenges; target identification and small molecule and biologic development; device development and mechanisms; access to therapeutics, quality of life, and medication side effects; and trial study design and population stratification.