Using AI to find new treatments for opioid use disorder
Official title: AI-Powered chemical-pathway-patient-directed polypharmacology for OUD therapy
Funded at Dark Matter Therapeutics, INC. · NIH-11143435 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring new medications for people struggling with opioid use disorder by using advanced technology to find compounds that can help improve brain function and support recovery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dark Matter Therapeutics, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Wilmington, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $399,414 |
| NIH project number | 1R41DA062978-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11143435 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with opioid use disorder who are seeking new treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not affected by opioid use disorder or those who have not responded to previous treatments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing new small molecule therapies for opioid use disorder (OUD) by utilizing advanced artificial intelligence techniques. The approach aims to identify compounds that can target multiple cell types and pathways involved in addiction, particularly those affected by opioids like oxycodone. By integrating both target-based and phenotype-based methodologies, the research seeks to efficiently discover novel drug candidates that can restore brain function and improve treatment outcomes for patients with OUD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and safer treatments for individuals struggling with opioid use disorder.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using AI for drug discovery, indicating that this approach could lead to significant advancements in treatment options for complex conditions like OUD.
Where this research is happening
-
Dark Matter Therapeutics, INC.
Wilmington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xie, Lei — Dark Matter Therapeutics, INC.
- Study coordinator: Xie, Lei
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.