PF614-MPAR: an opioid with built-in overdose protection
Official title: PF614-MPAR: clinical development of opioid with oral overdose protection
Funded at Ensysce Biosciences, INC. · NIH-11351036 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new opioid medicine with built-in protections aims to reduce abuse and overdose while still helping patients with moderate-to-severe pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ensysce Biosciences, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $5,279,389 |
| NIH project number | 5U01DA059791-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11351036 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with moderate-to-severe legitimate pain who require opioid therapy and who are at risk of misuse or overdose.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not at risk of abuse or overdose may not benefit from the specific protective features of this product.
What this research studies
This grant supports developing PF614-MPAR, an opioid prodrug designed to release pain relief only under specific conditions, with features intended to deter crushing or snorting and to reduce the risk of overdose. The project combines a prodrug (PF614) and a trypsin inhibitor (nafamostat) to block abuse and limit overdose, with the goal of safer pain management. Researchers will study the chemistry, safety markers, and potential performance of this product in preclinical and early development stages to support future clinical testing. The work is led by Ensysce Biosciences and involves collaboration across translational disciplines to bring a safer opioid option closer to patients who need relief from moderate-to-severe pain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide effective pain relief with lower risks of abuse and overdose.
How similar studies have gone: Previous abuse-deterrent strategies exist, but this program pursues a novel overdose-protection mechanism integrated into the drug itself.
Where this research is happening
-
Ensysce Biosciences, INC.
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kirkpatrick, Lynn — Ensysce Biosciences, INC.
- Study coordinator: Kirkpatrick, Lynn
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.