NIH-funded research Sbir 1 grant

Enhancing pain management for patients undergoing thoracic surgery

Official title: Improving Analgesic Effectiveness and Safety with Proactive Precision Pain Management in Thoracic Surgical Patients with Lung Lesions

Funded at Opalgenix, INC. · NIH-10695275 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking to make pain relief better for people having chest surgeries by creating a personalized plan that considers each person's unique needs, helping to reduce the use of strong pain medications and improve recovery.

Quick facts

Grant typeSbir 1 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionOpalgenix, INC.
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Indianapolis, United States)
Project startAugust 1, 2023
Project endJuly 31, 2025
Funding year2023
Award (this year)$644,425
NIH project number1R43HL167661-01A1
Project IDNIH-10695275 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are patients scheduled for thoracic surgeries who are at risk for severe postoperative pain and chronic pain development.

Less likely to help

Patients who are not undergoing thoracic surgery or those with pre-existing chronic pain conditions unrelated to surgical intervention may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on improving pain management for patients undergoing thoracic surgeries, such as pneumonectomy and lobectomy, which are often associated with severe pain and high opioid use. The study aims to develop a proactive, precision pain management approach that tailors pain relief strategies based on individual patient characteristics, including genetic factors. By utilizing predictive algorithms, the research seeks to identify patients at risk for chronic pain and optimize their postoperative recovery experience. This personalized approach aims to minimize opioid use and improve overall safety outcomes for patients.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective pain management strategies, reducing the risk of chronic pain and opioid dependency for thoracic surgery patients.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using personalized pain management approaches, indicating that this method could lead to significant improvements in patient outcomes.

Where this research is happening

  • Opalgenix, INC.
    Indianapolis, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Plump, Steven R. — Opalgenix, INC.
  • Study coordinator: Plump, Steven R.

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.