Long-lasting, non-addictive implant for pain after surgery
Official title: In situ forming implant drug delivery for non-addictive post-operative analgesia
Funded at University of Kentucky · NIH-11257347 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project offers a one-time injectable implant that slowly releases a local anesthetic to help people recovering from oral and facial surgery have longer-lasting, non‑addictive pain relief.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kentucky NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project start | January 10, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $74,947 |
| NIH project number | 5R03EB037115-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11257347 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be people undergoing oral or facial surgery who expect several days of localized postoperative pain and want non‑opioid pain control.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with widespread or neuropathic pain, those needing systemic pain medications, or individuals allergic to the implant materials may not benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers are making an injectable gel that solidifies in the body and slowly releases the local anesthetic bupivacaine using biodegradable polymer microparticles inside a PLGA matrix. The design places the drug in an inner layer to avoid an initial high-dose “burst” and aims for steady, week-long drug release. Materials science and clinical oversight will guide laboratory and preclinical testing of release profile, safety, and local nerve-block performance. The goal is to cover the typical 168-hour pain window after oral‑facial surgery and reduce reliance on opioid prescriptions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the implant could provide consistent pain relief for up to a week after surgery and reduce or eliminate the need for opioid prescriptions.
How similar studies have gone: Existing long‑acting local anesthetic products provide up to 72 hours of relief, but this specific polymer approach aiming for steady one‑week release is novel and not yet proven in patients.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kentucky
Lexington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Givens Rassoolkhani, Brittany Estelle — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Givens Rassoolkhani, Brittany Estelle
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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.