Automated system for dispensing methadone at home
Official title: COPA, an Automated Medication Dispensing and Remote Management System for at Home Methadone Dispensing - Administrative Supplement
Funded at Berkshire Biomedical Corporation · NIH-10876799 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new home medication dispenser called COPA that helps make sure patients get their methadone and other oral medications safely and easily, using fingerprint and dental recognition to confirm their identity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Berkshire Biomedical Corporation NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $149,650 |
| NIH project number | 3R44DA057185-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10876799 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals undergoing methadone maintenance treatment for opioid use disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not currently receiving methadone treatment or those who do not have access to the necessary biometric identification may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing an automated medication dispensing system called COPA, designed to deliver methadone and other oral medications to patients at home. The system uses biometric confirmation, including fingerprint and dental recognition, to ensure that the right patient receives their medication. By improving the safety and accessibility of methadone maintenance treatment, this project aims to enhance patient adherence and reduce the risks associated with opioid use. The research also involves extensive testing to meet FDA safety requirements.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a safer and more reliable way for patients to receive methadone treatment at home, potentially improving their health outcomes and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using automated dispensing systems is gaining traction, this specific application for methadone treatment is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in similar contexts.
Where this research is happening
-
Berkshire Biomedical Corporation
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Timberlake, John — Berkshire Biomedical Corporation
- Study coordinator: Timberlake, John
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Evaluating a new device for managing take-home methadone for opioid use disorder patients.
This study is testing a handy device that gives personalized doses of methadone to help people with opioid use disorder manage their medication at home, making it easier for them to stick to their treatment and improve their quality of life.
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An automated system for dispensing methadone at home.
This study is working on a new device called COPA that helps safely give liquid methadone to people with opioid use disorder, making it easier for them to get their medication, especially during times when clinics might be hard to reach.
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.