Developing a new medication to help people quit smoking

Clinical development of an mGlu2 positive allosteric modulator to treat nicotine addiction

NIH-funded research Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute · NIH-10466858

This study is testing a new medication that might help adults who want to quit smoking by making it easier to resist cravings and stay smoke-free.

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionSanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (La Jolla, United States)
Project IDNIH-10466858 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on creating a medication that targets specific brain receptors to help individuals overcome nicotine addiction. The approach involves using a compound called SBI-0069330, which enhances the function of metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 2 (mGlu2) to reduce the reinforcing effects of nicotine and prevent relapse. The study will assess the safety and effectiveness of this medication in adults who struggle with smoking addiction, aiming to improve their chances of quitting. Participants may benefit from a novel treatment that could make it easier to stop smoking and maintain abstinence.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who are struggling with nicotine addiction.

Not a fit: Patients who do not smoke or are not seeking to quit smoking may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new, effective treatment option for individuals trying to quit smoking.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using mGlu2 positive allosteric modulators for treating substance use disorders, indicating potential success for this approach.

Where this research is happening

La Jolla, 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 2026-06-09 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.