Developing new medications to combat fentanyl addiction

iPSC-derived human neurons and OUD medications development

NIH-funded research Chemregen INC · NIH-11069507

This study is working on new pain medications that don’t use opioids, like fentanyl, to help people manage pain safely and reduce the risks of addiction.

Quick facts

Grant typeSbir 1 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionChemregen INC NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (San Diego, United States)
Project IDNIH-11069507 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on creating non-opioid medications to address the opioid crisis, specifically targeting the dangers of fentanyl. The team will design and test small molecule compounds that do not interact with opioid receptors, aiming to provide safer alternatives for pain management. They will utilize human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived neurons to evaluate the effectiveness of these compounds against fentanyl and other opioids. This innovative approach seeks to expedite the development of new treatments for opioid misuse and addiction.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with a history of opioid use disorder or those affected by fentanyl-related issues.

Not a fit: Patients who are not struggling with opioid addiction or who do not have a history of opioid use may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer medications for individuals struggling with opioid addiction, reducing reliance on dangerous substances like fentanyl.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach of targeting non-opioid receptors is innovative, similar research has shown promise in developing alternative treatments for pain management and addiction.

Where this research is happening

San Diego, 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 2026-06-15 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.