DRhQ: a new drug targeting CD74 for methamphetamine addiction
Official title: IND-enabling studies and phase I clinical trials to advance CD74-target, DRhQ, as a treatment for stimulant use disorder
Funded at Virogenomics Biodevelopment, INC. · NIH-11332451 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Testing DRhQ, a new medicine that aims to reduce cravings, brain inflammation, and relapse in adults with methamphetamine (stimulant) use disorder.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virogenomics Biodevelopment, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tigard, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | May 15, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $3,300,978 |
| NIH project number | 5UG3DA061709-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11332451 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults (21+) with stimulant/methamphetamine use disorder, including those who currently test positive for methamphetamine and who meet phase I health and eligibility criteria, would be the intended participants.
✕Less likely to help
People under 21, those without stimulant use disorder, or individuals with medical conditions excluding them from early safety trials are unlikely to benefit from participation.
What this research studies
This project is preparing the drug DRhQ for human testing by completing animal safety work and then running early-phase human safety studies. DRhQ is designed to bind CD74, a receptor linked to inflammation, and preclinical work suggests it may lower drug-seeking behavior and improve cognition after methamphetamine exposure. The first human tests will include healthy volunteers and adults with methamphetamine use disorder who test positive for the drug, focusing on safety, tolerability, and appropriate dosing. If safe, the work will support later trials that measure whether DRhQ reduces relapse and improves recovery outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, DRhQ could become the first medicine to help lower relapse and inflammation-related harms in people with methamphetamine use disorder.
How similar studies have gone: Animal and preclinical studies of CD74-targeting constructs have shown reduced drug-seeking and inflammation, but human testing of DRhQ is just beginning.
Where this research is happening
-
Virogenomics Biodevelopment, INC.
Tigard, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shirley, Renee Lynn — Virogenomics Biodevelopment, INC.
- Study coordinator: Shirley, Renee Lynn
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.