New oral medication to help treat cocaine addiction
Official title: PDE7 Inhibitor for the Treatment of Cocaine Use Disorder
Funded at Omeros Corporation · NIH-11059141 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new pill called OMS182399 that aims to help people struggling with cocaine use by reducing cravings and restoring balance in the brain, since there aren't any approved medications for this condition right now.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Omeros Corporation NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | April 15, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $4,461,636 |
| NIH project number | 5U01DA058541-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11059141 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who are diagnosed with cocaine use disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not struggling with cocaine addiction or those under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop an oral medication called OMS182399 to treat cocaine use disorder (CUD). Currently, there are no approved drug treatments for CUD, and most patients only receive psychosocial therapies, which often lead to high dropout rates. The medication works by selectively inhibiting a specific enzyme (PDE7) to help restore the balance of dopamine in the brain, potentially reducing cravings for cocaine. The project will involve preclinical studies and clinical trials to assess the safety and effectiveness of this new treatment in individuals with CUD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a much-needed pharmacological treatment option for individuals struggling with cocaine addiction.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been various approaches to treating addiction, this specific PDE7 inhibitor is a novel approach and has not been widely tested in clinical settings for cocaine use disorder.
Where this research is happening
-
Omeros Corporation
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gaitanaris, George — Omeros Corporation
- Study coordinator: Gaitanaris, George
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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A study will test whether targeting a deep brain region with focused ultrasound can alter brain signals related to craving in people with cocaine use disorder.
-
Understanding how early life stress and cocaine exposure shape brain and behavior in adults
This project follows a long-running study in monkeys to see how early maltreatment and adolescent cocaine use influence brain circuits and risk of addiction in adulthood.
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Psilocybin-Assisted ACT for Co-Occurring Cocaine Use Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder
A new treatment combines psilocybin with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people who have both cocaine use disorder and major depressive disorder.
-
Cholinergic Dysregulation and Cognitive Flexibility in Cocaine Use Disorder
A research study explores how cocaine changes brain signaling to affect flexible thinking and decision-making in people with cocaine use disorder.
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Oligonucleotide therapy to help cocaine use disorder reach the brain
A new ASO-based approach aims to deliver gene-targeting therapy across the blood–brain barrier to help people with cocaine use disorder.
-
Accelerated TMS for Cocaine Use Disorder
A new, faster brain-stimulation treatment is being tested to help adults with cocaine use disorder reduce cravings and use.
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.