Creating a new way to deliver opioids safely without risk of tampering or diversion
Official title: Depot formulations for on-demand tamper- and diversion-proof delivery of opioids
Funded at Boston Children's Hospital · NIH-10802746 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new type of injectable pain medication that is designed to be safe and secure, so it can't be misused, helping patients get the relief they need without worrying about the risks of opioid abuse.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $267,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R21DA058120-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10802746 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients who require opioid pain relief after surgical procedures or for acute pain management.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not require opioids for pain management or those with chronic pain conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new injectable formulation of opioids that is designed to be tamper-proof and diversion-proof. By using special polymers and covalent linkers, the opioids can be securely delivered into the body, making it nearly impossible for them to be misused once administered. The formulation is intended to be injected by healthcare providers, ensuring that patients receive the medication they need without the risk of it being stolen or altered. This approach aims to provide a safer alternative for managing acute pain while minimizing the risks associated with opioid misuse.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the risk of opioid misuse and overdose, providing a safer pain management option for patients.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been attempts at developing tamper-resistant formulations, this specific approach using covalent linkers in depot formulations is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kohane, Daniel S — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Kohane, Daniel S
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.