Nezavist to help reduce alcohol use
Nezavist a Novel Molecule for Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder
A new oral medication called Nezavist aims to help adults with alcohol use disorder cut down on drinking by working in the gut to influence the brain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Lohocla Research Corporation NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11124195 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are developing Nezavist, an oral drug that modulates GABA-A receptors at a novel site in the intestine and influences the brain through gut–brain signaling. Nonclinical studies showed reduced relapse-like drinking in animal models, and the drug is designed to act without entering the brain. This SBIR renewal supports completing an IND submission to the FDA and conducting early human safety and tolerability (Phase 1) trials. If those trials show acceptable safety, later studies would test whether Nezavist helps people with alcohol use disorder reduce drinking and prevent relapse.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults age 21 and over with Alcohol Use Disorder who want to reduce or stop drinking—and in early safety trials, healthy adult volunteers—would be the likely candidates.
Not a fit: People under 21, pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, or people with medical contraindications to GABAergic agents or whose alcohol problems are better addressed by non-medication approaches may not benefit from this treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, Nezavist could provide a new medication to help adults with AUD reduce drinking and lower relapse risk while minimizing direct brain exposure.
How similar studies have performed: Some existing drugs target GABA systems and animal data for Nezavist are promising, but the gut-targeting mechanism is novel and has not yet been proven effective in human trials.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, UNITED STATES
- Lohocla Research Corporation — Aurora, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tabakoff, Boris — Lohocla Research Corporation
- Study coordinator: Tabakoff, Boris
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 below.