Development of Novel Immunotherapeutics for Opioid Addiction

Overview

The Research Need

High rates of relapse and overdose deaths pose significant challenges in the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD). Anti-opioid immunotherapies (i.e., vaccines and monoclonal antibodies) have great potential to reduce long-term opioid use and overdose, with minimal risk of side effects. They may be used in conjunction with pharmacological treatments and/or behavioral therapies. Immunotherapies that render less access of opioids to the brain may provide an important adjunct therapy for patients undergoing treatment for OUD and protect from the effects of opioid overdose on the brain. Currently, there are no FDA-approved vaccines or monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of substance use disorders. 

About the Program

The objective of the program is to support the pre-clinical and clinical evaluation of innovative anti-opioid immunotherapeutics (i.e., vaccines and monoclonal antibodies) that can be safe and effective for OUD and overdose.