New peptide pain relievers delivered through the nose
Official title: Novel Cyclic Peptide Analgesics for Intranasal delivery
Funded at Florida Atlantic University · NIH-10973203 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at new nasal sprays made from special peptides that could help relieve both short-term and long-term pain without the risks of addiction that come with traditional pain medications.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Florida Atlantic University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boca Raton, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $387,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R15DA061114-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10973203 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals suffering from acute or chronic pain who are seeking alternative treatments to opioids.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience pain or have conditions unrelated to pain management may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing innovative cyclic peptide analgesics that can be delivered intranasally to manage acute and chronic pain. The approach aims to create alternatives to traditional opioid medications, which often lead to tolerance and addiction. By targeting kappa-opioid receptors, these new peptides could provide effective pain relief without the adverse effects associated with current treatments. The study will explore how these peptides can efficiently cross the blood-brain barrier to alleviate pain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer and more effective pain management options for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using kappa-opioid receptor agonists for pain relief, indicating potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cudic, Predrag — Florida Atlantic University
- Study coordinator: Cudic, Predrag
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.