NIH-funded research Sbir 2 grant

Improving protein crystallization to aid drug design for substance use disorders

Official title: Advanced Nucleation Technologies for Membrane Protein Crystallization to Accelerate Structure-Based Drug Design for Substance Use Disorders

Funded at Denovx, LLC · NIH-10707123 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is working on improving the way scientists create tiny crystals of important proteins that help us understand how drugs work in the body, especially for people dealing with substance use disorders, so that we can develop better medications for them.

More Substance Use research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeSbir 2 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionDenovx, LLC
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Streamwood, United States)
Project startSeptember 30, 2022
Project endAugust 31, 2025
Funding year2023
Award (this year)$711,255
NIH project number5R44DA047146-03
Project IDNIH-10707123 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are individuals affected by substance use disorders who may benefit from new therapeutic options.

Less likely to help

Patients with substance use disorders who are not responsive to pharmacological treatments may not see direct benefits from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on enhancing the crystallization process of membrane proteins, which are crucial for understanding how drugs interact with the body, particularly in the context of substance use disorders. The team at DeNovX is developing innovative techniques using specialized substrates and engineered features to facilitate the formation of high-quality protein crystals. By successfully crystallizing these proteins, researchers aim to gain insights into their structure, which can lead to more effective drug designs. Patients may benefit from new medications developed through this advanced understanding of drug interactions.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of more effective treatments for substance use disorders.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in improving protein crystallization techniques, indicating potential for success in this novel approach.

Where this research is happening

  • Denovx, LLC
    Streamwood, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Bond, Andrew H. — Denovx, LLC
  • Study coordinator: Bond, Andrew H.

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.