Developing new medications to treat opioid use disorder

Mu Opioid Receptor Modulator Development to Treat Opioid Use Disorder

NIH-funded research Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-11006291

This study is looking for new medications to help people who are dealing with opioid use disorder, aiming to make treatments more effective and with fewer side effects.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionVirginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Richmond, United States)
Project IDNIH-11006291 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on creating new medications to help individuals struggling with opioid use disorder, a significant public health crisis in the United States. The team is investigating novel compounds that target the mu opioid receptor, aiming to enhance therapeutic effects while minimizing side effects. The research involves preclinical studies to validate the effectiveness and safety of these new drug candidates. By expanding the library of potential medications, the project seeks to improve treatment options for patients.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with opioid use disorder who are seeking new 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 more effective and safer treatments for individuals with opioid use disorder.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in developing new medications for opioid use disorder, but this approach focuses on novel compounds that have not yet been tested in clinical settings.

Where this research is happening

Richmond, 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.