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UH3DA048338

Cooperative Agreement

Overview

Grant Description
A long-acting bioabsorbable naltrexone subcutaneous implant for opioid use disorder - project summary/abstract. The objectives for this proposal are (1) determining the optimal chemical preparation to inject into the implant for delivery of naltrexone (NTX) to minimize toxicity while maximizing efficacy, (2) determine the optimal composition and porosity of the drug delivery implant to achieve the therapeutic serum levels of NTX as well as (3) refinement of the surgical procedure and instrumentation to facilitate the safe and effective deployment of the implant.

To address these issues, the study team will execute the following specific aims: AIM 1: Validate two formulations of NTX, liposomal encapsulation and PLGA encapsulation, for sustained release from the implant with proof of in vitro stability and pharmacokinetics under GLP/GCP. AIM 2: Assess surgical procedure and specialized instruments for replicable and safe implantation. AIM 3: Optimize the NTX drug formulation and implant design in vivo. AIM 4: Complete a six to twelve-month study to verify the safety and efficacy of the NTX implant needed for an investigational new drug/investigational device exemption application and clinical trials.

As the opioid crisis lingers, the proposed study has direct application to the health concerns of the nation and to the NIH as the study team seeks a fundamental solution and answer to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce illness and disability for those suffering from an opioid use disorder (OUD). The phases of the project will include: engineering, surgical technique refinement, pharmaceutical formulation, bioanalytical evaluation - both: in vivo and in vitro, surgical implantation in 2 species, collection of the pharmacokinetic bio-analytical data, toxicology/necropsy studies and analysis of the data.

Specific tests and comparisons will include NTX formulation (dissolution groups and 1-month in vivo (rodent)), balloon material in vivo, (rodent), therapeutic (6 to 12 month in vivo rodent and canine), and control (6 to 12 month in vivo rodent and canine) and opioid/fentanyl challenge in canines. Upon successful conclusion of the in vivo trials with proven efficacy and safety, FDA approval and clinical trials will begin.

In the phase I study, we plan on testing 3 different doses of NI along with a placebo loaded implant in healthy volunteers. The phase 2 clinical trial of the NI will be performed in subjects with OUD to determine the efficacy, safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of the NI. We will assess two doses of NI and compare this to the efficacy of a commercially available one month extended release naltrexone (XR-NTX) (Vivitrol, Alkermes) given monthly for six months.
Funding Goals
TO SUPPORT BASIC AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE, BIOMEDICAL, BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCE, EPIDEMIOLOGIC, HEALTH SERVICES AND HEALTH DISPARITY RESEARCH. TO DEVELOP NEW KNOWLEDGE AND APPROACHES RELATED TO THE PREVENTION, DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT, ETIOLOGY, AND CONSEQUENCES OF DRUG ABUSE AND ADDICTION, INCLUDING HIV/AIDS. TO SUPPORT RESEARCH TRAINING AND RESEARCH SCIENTIST DEVELOPMENT. TO SUPPORT DISSEMINATION OF RESEARCH FINDINGS. SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) LEGISLATION IS INTENDED TO EXPAND AND IMPROVE THE SBIR PROGRAMS TO EMPHASIZE AND INCREASE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIALIZATION OF TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPED THROUGH FEDERAL SBIR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, INCREASE SMALL BUSINESS PARTICIPATION IN FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND FOSTER AND ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION OF SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS IN THE SBIR PROGRAM. THE LEGISLATION INTENDS THAT THE SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER (STTR) PROGRAM STIMULATE AND FOSTER SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION THROUGH COOPERATIVE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CARRIED OUT BETWEEN SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, FOSTER TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER BETWEEN SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, TO INCREASE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIALIZATION OF INNOVATIONS DERIVED FROM FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND FOSTER AND ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION OF SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS IN TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION.
Place of Performance
Salisbury, Maryland 218041667 United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
Analysis Notes
Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 150% from $1,806,120 to $4,514,823.
The Drug Delivery Company was awarded Bioabsorbable Naltrexone Implant: Enhancing Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Cooperative Agreement UH3DA048338 worth $4,514,823 from National Institute on Drug Abuse in April 2019 with work to be completed primarily in Salisbury Maryland United States. The grant has a duration of 8 years and was awarded through assistance program 93.279 Drug Abuse and Addiction Research Programs. The Cooperative Agreement was awarded through grant opportunity Development of Medications to Prevent and Treat Opioid Use Disorders and Overdose (UG3/UH3) (Clinical Trials Optional).

Status
(Ongoing)

Last Modified 5/5/25

Period of Performance
4/1/19
Start Date
4/30/27
End Date
82.0% Complete

Funding Split
$4.5M
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$4.5M
Total Obligated
100.0% Federal Funding
0.0% Non-Federal Funding

Activity Timeline

Interactive chart of timeline of amendments to UH3DA048338

Transaction History

Modifications to UH3DA048338

Additional Detail

Award ID FAIN
UH3DA048338
SAI Number
UH3DA048338-66184204
Award ID URI
SAI UNAVAILABLE
Awardee Classifications
For-Profit Organization (Other Than Small Business)
Awarding Office
75N600 NIH National Insitute on Drug Abuse
Funding Office
75N600 NIH National Insitute on Drug Abuse
Awardee UEI
WMJ6UFULU731
Awardee CAGE
83GL0
Performance District
MD-01
Senators
Benjamin Cardin
Chris Van Hollen
Modified: 5/5/25