Buprenorphine-like medicines to treat opioid addiction
Buprenorphine analogs for the treatment of opioid abuse
Researchers are developing buprenorphine-inspired medications intended to relieve pain while lowering the chance of addiction, relapse, and withdrawal for people with opioid use disorder.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11292308 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses non-human primate tests to study new buprenorphine-like compounds (for example BU08028 and BU14003) that aim to relieve pain with less risk of misuse. Scientists will compare how these compounds behave after short- and long-term dosing and whether they reduce opioid-seeking, relapse-like behaviors, and withdrawal symptoms. The work builds a translational bridge from primate behavior and receptor tests toward medicines that could later be tested in people. Results will guide whether these compounds are safe and promising enough to move into human trials.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living with opioid use disorder, especially those concerned about relapse, dependence, or withdrawal, would be the eventual candidates for related treatments.
Not a fit: Because this is preclinical work in animals, patients will not receive direct treatment or immediate clinical benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to safer medications for opioid use disorder that provide pain relief with lower abuse potential and milder withdrawal.
How similar studies have performed: Related preclinical studies have shown a buprenorphine analog (BU08028) provided analgesia without clear abuse liability in primates, and buprenorphine itself is an approved medication—this work extends promising but still early evidence.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ko, Mei-Chuan — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Ko, Mei-Chuan
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 below.