Targeting peripheral pain signals with DOR-KOR heteromer activating drugs
Official title: Identification of allosteric molecules for DOR-KOR heteromer-mediated peripheral analgesia
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Science Center · NIH-11365874 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to find small drug-like molecules that selectively turn on a specific peripheral pain target (DOR-KOR heteromer) to stop pain without the dangerous brain-side effects of typical opioids.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Science Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Antonio, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $505,856 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA057787-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11365874 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with conditions involving nociceptive pain who could benefit from non-brain-acting analgesics and who are candidates for future peripheral pain therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose pain is not primarily nociceptive or who have conditions requiring central-acting analgesics may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on developing peripherally restricted analgesics that act on delta-kappa opioid receptor heteromers found on pain-sensing nerves. Researchers will identify and test small molecules that selectively activate the DOR-KOR heteromer through interprotomer allosterism, aiming to block pain transmission at the source. The work combines chemistry, pharmacology, and collaboration across teams to validate compounds that work outside the brain and reduce harmful side effects. If successful, these compounds could provide another option for people with nociceptive pain who cannot tolerate traditional opioids.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients may receive effective pain relief from drugs that act outside the brain with fewer serious side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary work suggests that targeting receptor heteromers can yield novel analgesic approaches, with some supporting evidence in related GPCR heteromer strategies.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Science Center
San Antonio, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Clarke, William P — University of Texas Hlth Science Center
- Study coordinator: Clarke, William P
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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.