Creating new drugs to improve pain relief while reducing opioid use
Official title: Development of GPR139 antagonists for the treatment of pain
Funded at Research Triangle Institute · NIH-11034348 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at new compounds that could make opioid pain medications work better for people with acute pain, helping to provide relief while using lower doses to reduce the risk of addiction and other problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Research Triangle Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Research Triangle Park, United States) |
| Project start | May 9, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $603,406 |
| NIH project number | 1R21NS140745-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11034348 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing acute pain who may require opioid treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with chronic pain conditions that do not respond to opioid treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing GPR139 antagonists, which are new compounds that could enhance the effectiveness of opioid medications for treating acute pain. By targeting the GPR139 receptor, the study aims to improve pain relief while potentially lowering the required doses of opioids, thereby reducing the risk of tolerance, dependence, and addiction. The research involves laboratory experiments and behavioral studies to understand how these antagonists interact with opioid receptors and their effects on pain management. Patients may benefit from safer pain relief options if the research is successful.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide patients with more effective and safer pain management options that reduce reliance on opioids.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of targeting GPR139 is relatively novel, similar strategies in modulating opioid receptor signaling have shown promise in other studies.
Where this research is happening
-
Research Triangle Institute
Research Triangle Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jin, Chunyang — Research Triangle Institute
- Study coordinator: Jin, Chunyang
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.