Once-daily extended-release acamprosate to help maintain abstinence in AUD
Official title: Novel Once-Daily Extended-Release Acamprosate Tablet for Alcohol Use Disorder
Funded at Witii Pharmaceuticals, INC. · NIH-11406496 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small, early-stage project is testing a new once-daily extended-release form of acamprosate to help people with alcohol use disorder stay abstinent more easily.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Witii Pharmaceuticals, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Denver, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $306,149 |
| NIH project number | 1R43AA033295-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11406496 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21 years and older with alcohol use disorder who are candidates for acamprosate therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients unable to tolerate acamprosate or those not seeking pharmacologic treatment may not benefit.
What this research studies
This Phase I SBIR project aims to create an extended-release version of acamprosate calcium so patients can take it once daily instead of three times a day. Researchers will develop and test formulations that release the medicine steadily for about 18-24 hours, aiming to match the current drug’s therapeutic effect. The work includes lab testing for stability and bioequivalence to the conventional product. If successful, the new tablet could improve adherence and treatment outcomes for adults with AUD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience better adherence and potentially improved abstinence rates with a simpler dosing schedule.
How similar studies have gone: Other extended-release formulations for AUD medications have shown promise in improving adherence, but this exact ER formulation is being tested for the first time.
Where this research is happening
-
Witii Pharmaceuticals, INC.
Denver, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shukla, Anand — Witii Pharmaceuticals, INC.
- Study coordinator: Shukla, Anand
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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.