Using AI to find new drugs for treating addiction
Official title: AI-Accelerated Discovery of Novel Compounds for GPCRs Targeted by Drugs of Abuse
Funded at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-11056684 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for new medications to help people struggling with opioid addiction by using advanced technology to find better treatments that can reduce the risk of overdose.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $211,250 |
| NIH project number | 5R21DA059420-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11056684 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from opioid use disorders or those at risk of opioid overdose.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not affected by opioid use disorders or who do not have a history of substance abuse may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on addressing the urgent need for new medications to treat opioid use disorders and prevent overdose deaths. By utilizing advanced artificial intelligence techniques, the project aims to identify specific compounds that can effectively target G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) associated with addiction. The approach involves analyzing large datasets from bioactivity assays and chemical libraries to discover novel small-molecule ligands that can lead to better treatment options. Patients may benefit from the development of more effective therapies that can help manage their addiction and reduce the risk of overdose.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of new, more effective medications for individuals struggling with addiction.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using AI to discover new drug compounds, indicating that this approach could yield significant advancements in addiction treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Filizola, Marta — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Filizola, Marta
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.