Substance use and poisoning

Endevica Bio presents new melanocortin analogues

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Endevica Bio Inc. has disclosed cyclic peptides acting as melanocortin MC1 and/or MC5 and/or MC3 and/or MC4 receptor agonists. They are reported to be useful for the treatment of substance abuse and dependence and diabetes.

Counterx signs license supporting work in fentanyl overdose

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Counterx Therapeutics Inc. has executed an exclusive licensing agreement with the University of Minnesota and the University of Washington for a portfolio of novel monoclonal antibody and vaccine candidates targeting fentanyl and opioid overdose.

Serotonin receptor modulators for the treatment of OUD

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0500

Opioid use disorder (OUD) causes high morbidity and mortality rates, with fentanyl driving unprecedented overdose rates. Researchers from the University of California have used an AI-based drug discovery platform with the aim of identifying preclinical drug candidates for OUD.

5-HT2R allosteric ligands attenuate cocaine use and seeking behavior

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0500

Serotonergic G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), including the 5-HT2A receptor (5-HT2AR) and 5-HT2CR, are key regulators of cortical signaling pathways and promising targets for neurotherapeutic drug discovery. Researchers from the University of Texas System have developed AB-0124, a 5-HT2AR allosteric ligand, and JPC-0323, a dual 5-HT2AR/5-HT2CR allosteric ligand, with the aim of overcoming issues with direct agonists of these receptors for treating substance abuse disorders, like cocaine use.

OSUAB-0284 emerges as candidate for treatment of anthrax

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0500

Bacillus anthracis is a spore-forming soil bacterium that becomes metabolically active when taken up by a host, causing anthrax. Research efforts are now focused on developing new classes of antibiotics effective against both wild-type and fluoroquinolone-resistant B. anthracis.

ECNP 2025: Endocannabinoids have metabolic role in mental health

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 09:00:00 -0400

At the 2025 European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) Congress in Amsterdam this week, researchers presented new findings on the role of endocannabinoids in stress, addiction … and the integrity of the blood-brain-barrier.

ECNP 2025: Endocannabinoids have metabolic role in mental health

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 09:00:00 -0400

BARDA supports Orexo’s OX-390 for adulterated opioid overdose

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 09:00:00 -0400

Orexo AB’s subsidiary Orexo US Inc. has been awarded $8 million in funding by the U.S. Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) to support the development of OX-390, an intranasal rescue medication for adulterated opioid overdoses.

NIDA boost for Atai’s 5-HT2A/2C receptor agonists

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 09:00:00 -0400

Atai Life Sciences NV has been awarded a multiyear, milestone-driven grant worth up to $11.4 million by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to support development of Atai’s novel 5-HT2A/2C receptor agonists with nonhallucinogenic potential for opioid use disorder.

Elysium fields SOOPR overdose fix to fill opioid void

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 11:00:00 -0400

Elysium Therapeutics Inc. aims to tackle the problem of opioid overdose with a longer-lasting rescue agent that gets around the not-much-publicized problem of fentanyl rebound, or re-narcotization, which happens when the standard reverser wears off and the culprit drug stays active in the body, potentially killing the patient.

Elysium fields SOOPR overdose fix to fill opioid void

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 11:00:00 -0400

Muscarinic agonist shows concentration- and sex-dependent effects

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 09:00:00 -0400

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen and the Psychiatric Center Copenhagen have uncovered the cellular and synaptic effects of the drug VU-0364572, a selective modulator of the M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor.

SKNY-1 demonstrates weight loss and reverses nicotine-seeking behavior in zebrafish

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 09:00:00 -0400

Mira Pharmaceuticals Inc. has announced new animal study results with SKNY-1, highlighting its potential as an oral therapeutic to address both obesity and nicotine addiction. This follows the recent report of in vitro data on SKNY-1.

New in vitro data for SKNY-1 with potential for obesity and nicotine addiction

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 09:00:00 -0400

Mira Pharmaceuticals Inc. has reported new in vitro preclinical data supporting the therapeutic potential of SKNY-1, a next-generation oral drug candidate being developed by Skny Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Novel GLP-1R/Y1R/Y2R triple agonist reduces fentanyl taking and seeking in rats

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 09:00:00 -0400

Opioid use disorder (OUD) remains a significant public health crisis, with over 5 million people diagnosed in the U.S. in 2023 and more than 80,000 fatal overdoses involving opioids each year. Current FDA-approved medications for OUD target the micro-opioid receptor, but these treatments are still associated with high relapse rates during abstinence.

TAAR1 agonists reduce alcohol drinking and differentially modulate dopamine signaling in mouse model

Wed, 21 May 2025 09:00:00 -0400

Currently available therapeutic strategies for alcohol use disorder (AUD) have limited efficacy, with many patients not responding to treatment. The dopaminergic system, involved in motivation and the reinforcing effects of drugs, has been proposed as an interesting target in AUD.

Indivior advances GABA-B PAM program for substance use disorders through IND-enabling studies

Mon, 12 May 2025 09:00:00 -0400

Indivior plc has successfully advanced its GABA-B positive allosteric modulator (PAM) program for substance use disorders through IND-enabling studies with the completion of the last preclinical safety and toxicity studies.

Psychedelics modulate neuroimmune interactions that control fear

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 09:00:00 -0400

Research of the neuroimmune mechanisms involved in stress-related fear revealed how astrocytes interact with neurons in the amygdala. The study, led by Harvard scientists, also unveiled that this interaction recruited monocytes to the meninges during chronic stress and showed how psychedelic compounds reversed monocyte accumulation in the meninges and reduced fear behavior.

CREG1 protects against acetaminophen-induced liver damage by regulating autophagy

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 09:00:00 -0400

Acetaminophen (APAP), although recognized as a safe and effective antipyretic and analgesic drug, can lead to acute liver failure if taken in excess.

Ignite Biomedical, Liquid Biosciences discover new biomarkers for substance use disorder

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 09:00:00 -0400

Ignite Biomedical Inc. and Liquid Biosciences have announced the discovery of biomarkers to diagnose substance use disorder (SUD). The set of biomarkers includes some that have not previously been associated with addiction and spans all 6 SUDs (opioid, cocaine, methamphetamine, alcohol, nicotine and cannabis use disorders).

Amygdala Neurosciences selects ANS-858 as lead clinical candidate for substance use disorders

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 09:00:00 -0400

Amygdala Neurosciences Inc. has selected ANS-858 as its lead clinical candidate for substance use disorders, that includes alcohol and cocaine use disorders. The selective, reversible, orally bioavailable, small-molecule inhibitor of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) is designed to reduce the rewarding effects associated with alcohol and other substances.

Dissecting the role of neural circuits in mental health

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 10:00:00 -0400

In the brain, molecular information is transmitted between cells through neural circuits. Synapses establish connections between the pathways that run from one area to another, allowing the most complex organ in the body to fulfill different functions. Cells and neural circuits are the basic biological elements in the study of mental illness. However, the scientific community still does not know how to interpret their role in neuropsychiatric disorders.

Glycopolymer radiomitigator protects mice from radiation-induced GI injury

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 09:00:00 -0500

Exposure to high-dose radiation can result in gastrointestinal (GI) acute radiation syndrome, which is characterized by disruption of the mucosal layer, intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction, and abnormal inflammatory responses. Currently, there are no FDA-approved therapies for the treatment radiation-induced GI injury.

Adiponectin blocks immunotherapy inflammation without impairing it

Mon, 17 Feb 2025 09:00:00 -0500

Stimulating the body’s immune defenses against a tumor can reduce or eliminate it. However, in cancer immunotherapy, when immune checkpoint inhibitors unleash the immune system, severe autoimmunity can result. A hematological technique, extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP), could offer a solution. It reduces the therapy-induced inflammation without altering antitumor immunity. According to scientists at the Universities of Basel and Freiburg, the key lies in adiponectin, a hormone produced by fatty tissue.

An antidote to cobra venom designed with AI

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 09:00:00 -0500

Following Nobel Prize-winning chemist David Baker’s recipe for cooking an antidote to cobra venom using artificial intelligence (AI) could be faster and more effective than currently available methods. The ingredients and steps can be found in a new study published by the University of Washington scientist in collaboration with the Technical University of Denmark. They are ready for the next steps in preclinical trials.

An antidote to cobra venom designed with AI

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 09:00:00 -0500

Following Nobel Prize-winning chemist David Baker’s recipe for cooking an antidote to cobra venom using artificial intelligence (AI) could be faster and more effective than currently available methods. The ingredients and steps can be found in a new study published by the University of Washington (UW) scientist in collaboration with the Technical University of Denmark. They are ready for the next steps in preclinical trials.

NIH grant supports evaluation of ghrelin for radiation-induced gastrointestinal syndrome

Mon, 20 Jan 2025 09:00:00 -0500

The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research has been awarded a 5-year, $2.9 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to investigate the potential of human ghrelin as a medical countermeasure against radiation-induced gastrointestinal syndrome.

New multiorgan microphysiological model offers insights into opioid overdose and recovery

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 09:00:00 -0500

In a recently published article, researchers from the University of Central Florida and collaborators reported developing a novel multiorgan microphysiological system (MPS) to simulate acute opioid overdose and recovery, addressing key challenges in opioid crisis research.

NIDA grant supports Sparian’s SBS-226 for opiate use disorder and withdrawal

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 09:00:00 -0500

Sparian Biosciences Inc. has been awarded a $19.5 million, 5-year grant to fund development of SBS-226 from IND submission through phase I development. SBS-226 is a first-in-class dual μ-opioid receptor partial agonist and δ-opioid receptor full antagonist in development for opiate use disorder and opiate withdrawal syndrome.

Grifols partners with BARDA to test ocular immunoglobulin for sulfur mustard-induced eye damage

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 09:00:00 -0400

Grifols SA has entered into a partnership with the U.S. Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) to test investigational ocular surface immunoglobulin (OSIG) eye drops for their ability to treat ocular damage from sulfur mustard exposure.