Using AI to find new drugs for treating addiction

AI-Accelerated Discovery of Novel Compounds for GPCRs Targeted by Drugs of Abuse

NIH-funded research Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-11056684

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 typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionIcahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-11056684 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from opioid use disorders or those at risk of opioid overdose.

Not a fit: 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.

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 performed: 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

New York, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions addictive disorder
Last reviewed 2026-06-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.