Cannabinoid CB2 receptor activators for opioid use disorder
Official title: Development of cannabinoid receptor 2 agonists for opioid use disorder
Funded at Longieva Therapeutics · NIH-11410429 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new treatment approach uses a CB2 receptor activator to reduce cravings and drug reward in people with opioid use disorder.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Longieva Therapeutics NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Menlo Park, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $399,989 |
| NIH project number | 1R43DA066396-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11410429 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with opioid use disorder who could participate in future clinical development or related studies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without OUD or those not eligible for early-phase trials may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project aims to develop a selective CB2 receptor agonist called 36040 to help people with opioid use disorder by dampening the brain’s reward signals. It builds on existing medications but seeks to avoid issues like misuse and tolerance by using a biased signaling profile. The work involves preclinical studies and collaboration with NIDA and NIH programs to optimize a promising compound before potential human testing. If successful, this approach could offer an additional option for reducing opioid use and related harm.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to a new class of non-opioid treatments that lessen opioid cravings and relapse risk.
How similar studies have gone: Previous CB2R-based approaches showed promise in preclinical models, but human data is needed for confirmation.
Where this research is happening
-
Longieva Therapeutics
Menlo Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Klein, Barbara — Longieva Therapeutics
- Study coordinator: Klein, Barbara
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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.