SBS-226: a new medication that activates one opioid receptor and blocks another to treat opioid addiction
Official title: Development of SBS-226, a MOR agonist / DOR antagonist, for OUD
Funded at Sparian Biosciences, INC. · NIH-11196074 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project develops SBS-226, a potential medicine designed to reduce opioid cravings and withdrawal by activating the mu-opioid receptor while blocking the delta-opioid receptor for people with opioid use disorder.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sparian Biosciences, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York City, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $3,984,629 |
| NIH project number | 5UG3DA059278-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11196074 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with opioid use disorder, especially those who do not respond to or cannot access existing treatments like methadone or buprenorphine, would be the likely candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without opioid use disorder or those who are stable and well-controlled on current treatments are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
What this research studies
Researchers are developing a drug inspired by kratom-related compounds that targets opioid receptors in a specific way that may lower addiction-related effects and side effects. The team will optimize the compound in the lab, run cell and animal safety and efficacy tests, and complete studies needed to support early human testing. If preclinical results are favorable, they plan to pursue clinical trials to see how the drug works in people with opioid use disorder. This work is early-stage at a small biotech in New York City, so it will not provide immediate patient access.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could provide a new treatment option that reduces cravings and withdrawal with potentially fewer side effects than current medicines.
How similar studies have gone: Approved treatments like methadone and buprenorphine help many people with OUD, but the specific approach of combining mu-opioid agonism with delta-opioid antagonism is novel and has limited clinical evidence so far.
Where this research is happening
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Sparian Biosciences, INC.
New York City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Reich, Jeffrey — Sparian Biosciences, INC.
- Study coordinator: Reich, Jeffrey
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.