Creating new medications to help manage opioid use disorder

Development of negative allosteric modulators of the mu-opioid receptor for the management of opioid use disorder

NIH-funded research Eleven Therapeutics Corp · NIH-10918505

This study is looking at new ways to help people with opioid use disorder by creating a treatment that can lessen the effects of opioids without completely blocking them, which could make it easier for patients to stick to their recovery plan and stay safe.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionEleven Therapeutics Corp NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Encintias, United States)
Project IDNIH-10918505 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing new treatments for opioid use disorder (OUD) by creating negative allosteric modulators (NAMs) of the mu-opioid receptor. These NAMs are designed to reduce the effects of opioid agonists without completely blocking the receptor, which may help patients avoid withdrawal symptoms and reduce the risk of overdose. The approach aims to improve patient compliance and effectiveness compared to existing treatments like buprenorphine and methadone. By targeting the mu-opioid receptor in a novel way, the research seeks to provide a safer and more effective option for individuals struggling with OUD.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with opioid use disorder who are seeking alternative treatment options.

Not a fit: Patients who are not struggling with opioid use disorder or those who have not responded to previous treatments may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer and more effective treatments for patients with opioid use disorder, reducing the risk of overdose and improving treatment compliance.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach of using negative allosteric modulators is relatively novel, there is ongoing interest in developing alternative treatments for opioid use disorder, indicating potential for success.

Where this research is happening

Encintias, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.