New treatment approach to calm the stress system in alcohol use disorder
Official title: Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling Study for a New Therapeutic for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)
Funded at Stress Therapeutics, INC. · NIH-11332743 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new, first‑in‑class medicine aims to gently calm the body’s stress system to help people with alcohol use disorder drink less and avoid relapse.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stress Therapeutics, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Diego, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $995,447 |
| NIH project number | 5U43AA032129-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11332743 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with alcohol use disorder who may benefit from modulation of the HPA axis and participation in early drug development programs.
✕Less likely to help
People with AUD who do not have issues related to HPA axis hyperactivity or who cannot participate in IND‑enabling drug development studies may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project centers on creating an IND‑enabling pathway for a novel therapy that targets the hypothalamic‑pituitary‑adrenal (HPA) axis, which becomes overactive in many people with alcohol use disorder. The work includes manufacturing the test material and validating lab methods to measure its concentration and activity, all with the goal of moving toward a human clinical trial. It is designed as a Phase I SBIR effort to address a real, unmet medical need for safe, tolerable long‑term management of HPA hyperactivity in AUD. If successful, the therapy could offer a new mechanism to restore normal stress response and reduce drinking motivation and relapse risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the therapy could provide a new option to manage AUD by normalizing the stress system and reducing relapse.
How similar studies have gone: Previous attempts to modulate the HPA axis have shown mixed results, underscoring the need for safer, more effective options.
Where this research is happening
-
Stress Therapeutics, INC.
San Diego, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lloyd, Linda S — Stress Therapeutics, INC.
- Study coordinator: Lloyd, Linda S
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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.