A quick and easy test for detecting fentanyl in saliva
Official title: A Rapid, Sensitive and Instrument-free Oral Fluid Fentanyl Test
Funded at Instanosis, INC. · NIH-11035399 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a quick and easy test to check for fentanyl in saliva, which can help doctors respond faster in overdose cases and make sure people get the right care they need.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Instanosis, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milford, United States) |
| Project start | June 15, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,576,513 |
| NIH project number | 1R44DA061963-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11035399 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals at risk of fentanyl overdose, such as those with opioid use disorder or those in emergency medical situations.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk of fentanyl exposure or those who do not use opioids may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a rapid and sensitive test for detecting fentanyl in oral fluid, which can be crucial for timely medical intervention in overdose situations. The test aims to provide a non-invasive and easily administered method for identifying fentanyl, allowing for prompt administration of naloxone and appropriate clinical care. By utilizing a high-affinity anti-fentanyl antibody, the researchers are working to create a prototype that can be used in emergency settings and for drug compliance testing. The goal is to finalize the test design and ensure it is ready for widespread use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the ability to quickly identify fentanyl overdoses, potentially saving lives through timely treatment.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success with similar rapid testing approaches for drug detection, indicating a promising avenue for this novel oral fluid test.
Where this research is happening
-
Instanosis, INC.
Milford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xia, Xiaofeng — Instanosis, INC.
- Study coordinator: Xia, Xiaofeng
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Rapid, Sensitive Oral Fluid Fentanyl Test that’s Easy to Use
A fast, easy-to-use test will help people in emergencies or at home know if fentanyl is present in their saliva so they can get the right care quickly.
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InstaStrip Xylazine: a quick test to detect xylazine in emergency care
A new rapid, easy-to-use test strip is being developed to detect xylazine, a dangerous drug increasingly involved in overdoses, so clinicians can identify it quickly during emergencies.
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Developing a rapid test for detecting xylazine in drug overdoses
This study is working on a quick test called InstaStrip-Xylazine that helps emergency medical teams find out if someone has taken xylazine, a dangerous drug linked to overdoses, so they can give the right treatment faster.
-
Rapid, easy fentanyl test strip for at‑a‑glance urine checks
A new, instrument-free urine test strip can quickly detect fentanyl at clinically meaningful levels, helping people and clinicians respond faster to overdoses.
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Quick and easy urine test for detecting fentanyl
This study is working on a quick and easy urine test that can detect fentanyl, a powerful opioid that can lead to overdoses, so that people who might be affected can get the help they need right away.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.