Non-addictive pain relief from a peripherally acting opioid to prevent opioid use disorder
Official title: Advancing a non-addictive, peripherally acting opioid analgesic as a medication strategy to prevent opioid use disorder in patients undergoing treatment for pain
Funded at Dimerx · NIH-11359642 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new pain medicine that works outside the brain aims to relieve chronic pain without the risk of opioid addiction for adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dimerx NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Mill Valley, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,756,396 |
| NIH project number | 5UG3DA061645-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11359642 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with chronic pain conditions who would otherwise rely on opioids for pain management.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to chronic pain or those who do not respond to peripheral opioid mechanisms may not benefit.
What this research studies
This grant supports developing a pain reliever that acts only on peripheral opioid receptors and does not enter the brain, potentially reducing addiction risk. The project uses a covalently linked molecule, DMX-101, to deliver strong pain control while avoiding CNS side effects. If successful, it could change how chronic pain is treated and help prevent progression to opioid use disorder. The research will involve preclinical and early clinical steps to show safety and pain relief in adults with chronic pain conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could get effective pain relief without increasing the risk of opioid use disorder.
How similar studies have gone: Prior DMX-101 trials for GI conditions showed some pain-relieving effects, supporting exploration in chronic pain.
Where this research is happening
-
Dimerx
Mill Valley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sanders, Virginia J — Dimerx
- Study coordinator: Sanders, Virginia J
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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.