New non-addictive pain relief options using biased Kappa opioid agonists

Biased Kappa Opioid Agonists as Non-addictive Analgesics

['FUNDING_R01'] · WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · NIH-10576917

This study is exploring a new type of pain medicine that could help relieve pain without the risk of addiction or the unwanted side effects that come with regular opioids, and it's aimed at anyone looking for safer options for managing their pain.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorWAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES (nih funded)
Locations1 site (WINSTON-SALEM, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-10576917 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research investigates the potential of biased Kappa opioid agonists as a new class of pain relievers that do not carry the risk of addiction. The approach focuses on understanding how these compounds can provide pain relief without the sedative and dysphoric side effects commonly associated with traditional opioid medications. By studying the signaling pathways involved in pain relief, researchers aim to develop safer analgesics that can effectively manage pain while minimizing the risk of substance abuse. The research includes laboratory experiments to evaluate the efficacy and safety of these compounds in animal models.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from chronic pain who are at risk of opioid addiction or those who have not found relief with traditional pain medications.

Not a fit: Patients who do not experience chronic pain or those who are not at risk of opioid addiction may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of non-addictive pain medications that provide effective pain relief without the risk of addiction.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in developing biased Kappa opioid agonists, indicating that this approach may lead to significant advancements in pain management.

Where this research is happening

WINSTON-SALEM, 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.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.