Developing a rapid test for detecting xylazine in drug overdoses
Official title: Addressing Emerging Drug Threats with InstaStrip Rapid Tests
Funded at Instanosis, INC. · NIH-11309207 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a quick test called InstaStrip-Xylazine that helps emergency medical teams find out if someone has taken xylazine, a dangerous drug linked to overdoses, so they can give the right treatment faster.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Instanosis, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milford, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $954,553 |
| NIH project number | 4U44DA060264-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11309207 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who are at risk of drug overdose, particularly those using substances that may be laced with xylazine.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use drugs or are not at risk of overdose may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a rapid diagnostic test specifically for detecting xylazine, a synthetic drug that has been linked to a significant increase in overdose deaths. The team aims to develop a device called InstaStrip-Xylazine, which will allow emergency medical personnel to quickly identify the presence of xylazine in patients experiencing drug overdoses. The approach involves leveraging an existing technology platform that has previously been successful in detecting fentanyl, enhancing its sensitivity to improve patient outcomes. By providing timely information about xylazine presence, clinicians can make more informed treatment decisions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the management of overdose cases by enabling faster and more accurate detection of xylazine.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has successfully developed rapid diagnostic tests for fentanyl, indicating a promising potential for similar success with xylazine detection.
Where this research is happening
-
Instanosis, INC.
Milford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xia, Xiaofeng — Instanosis, INC.
- Study coordinator: Xia, Xiaofeng
Related research
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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.