Research funding granted to Atai Life Sciences by the National Institutes of Health
Atai Life Sciences Secures $11.4 Million Grant for Opioid Use Disorder Treatment
Atai Life Sciences, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, has announced that it has been awarded a multi-year, milestone-driven grant worth up to $11.4 million by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). This grant will fund the optimization and early-stage development of Atai's novel 5-HT2A2C receptor agonists with non-hallucinogenic potential for opioid use disorder (OUD).
The grant, awarded by NIDA under number 1UG3DA064403-01, will support lead optimization, translational proof-of-concept studies, and the toxicology and manufacturing work needed to file an Investigational New Drug (IND) application. The goal is to identify clinical candidates that maintain therapeutic activity against OUD while minimizing hallucinogenic effects and avoiding 5-HT2B activity.
Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a significant global health issue, affecting 16 million people worldwide and resulting in over 120,000 annual deaths. The condition also imposes a heavy financial burden, costing over $750 billion annually. Current OUD therapies often come with a high daily treatment burden, and there is a pressing need for more effective and less burdensome treatment options.
Atai's novel 5-HT2A/2C receptor agonists, if successful, could provide a solution to this problem. These compounds, which show promise in supporting lasting abstinence, could reduce the daily treatment burden associated with current OUD therapies.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically through this 5-year grant from NIDA, has financially supported the development of Atai Life Sciences' 5-HT2A/2C receptor agonists with non-hallucinogenic potential for OUD before the Phase 1 study began. It is important to note that references for further reading have been provided, but they need to be cross-validated.
As with any research and development project, there are risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to, those described in the section titled "Risk Factors" in Atai's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Atai disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this press release, other than to the extent required by applicable law.
If early-stage development milestones are met, Atai plans to progress the program into a first-in-human Phase 1 study. For media-related inquiries, contact [email protected], and for investor-related inquiries, contact [email protected].
The content of this press release is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
