Creating new pain relief medications with lower risk of addiction.

Development of Glycosylated Endomorphin Analogs with Low Abuse Liability for Treatment of Pain.

NIH-funded research Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care · NIH-11003964

This study is exploring new versions of a pain-relieving compound that could help people manage pain without the risks of addiction that come with traditional opioids, aiming to find safer options for anyone dealing with pain.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionSoutheast Louisiana Veterans Health Care NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New Orleans, United States)
Project IDNIH-11003964 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing modified versions of endomorphin, a compound that can relieve pain similarly to morphine but with fewer side effects, particularly the risk of addiction. The team will create glycosylated analogs designed to penetrate the blood-brain barrier effectively and will test these compounds in animal models to evaluate their pain-relieving effects and potential for abuse. The goal is to identify candidates that provide effective pain management without the harmful properties associated with traditional opioids. If successful, these new medications could offer safer alternatives for patients suffering from various types of pain.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from moderate to severe pain, including chronic pain conditions.

Not a fit: Patients who are not experiencing pain or those who have contraindications to opioid medications may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new pain medications that provide effective relief without the risk of addiction.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in developing non-addictive pain relief options, but this specific approach using glycosylated endomorphin analogs is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

New Orleans, 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.