A non-addictive opioid under development has demonstrated the potential to be a treatment for opioid and cocaine addictions. Dr. Lawrence Toll, of Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine and co-founder and chief neuropharmacologist of Phoenix PharmaLabs, presented the data today in a poster presentation at a NCAT-sponsored symposium on the opioid crisis.
In the first-ever reported results of a study conducted by Dr. Toll and associates as a result of a NIDA/NIH grant awarded last summer, PPL-103, a compound under development by Phoenix PharmaLabs, demonstrated an ability to reduce cocaine self-administration among rats, particularly those rats who had long access (dependency) to cocaine. The drug completely blocked reinstatement of cocaine seeking among the animals.
PPL-103 is a non-addictive opioid that could be a superior analgesic with greatly reduced addiction liability and fewer side-effects compared to traditional opiates, as well as its potential as a treatment for drug abuse. It has been under development and currently is conducting preclinical studies and requirements for the filing of an IND and commencement of Phase I studies.
Dr. Toll’s poster is titled “In Vitro and In Vivo Profile of PPL-103: A Mixed Opioid Partial Agonist Analgesic or Drug Abuse Medication.” It is being presented at the symposium: The Opioid Crisis and the Future of Addiction and Pain Therapeutics: Opportunities, Tools and Technologies,” sponsored by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), a part of the National institutes of Health, taking place February 7 and 8 at the Natcher Auditorium on the NIH Campus in Bethesda.
All opioids on the market today bind to the mu receptor in the brain and then aggressive stimulate that receptor. The mu receptor produces euphoria that leads to abuse and addiction. PPL-103 is a patented analog that binds strongly to all three opioid receptors in the brain (mu, kappa and delta) and then partially stimulates those receptors in a more balanced manner. This partial stimulation derives potent analgesic benefit from all three receptors but is not sufficiently strong enough to produce the serious side-effects associates with any single receptor. This results in a first-ever opiate analgesic that appears to be non-addicting with a significant reduction of dangerous side effects.
A copy of the poster is available upon request. More information on Phoenix PharmaLabs can be found at the company’s website: https://phoenixpharmalabs.com.
Phoenix is a privately-held, preclinical drug company focused on the development and commercialization of new potent, non-addictive treatments for pain and therapies for the treatment of addiction.
Contact:Bev Jedynak, blj@bevlynconsulting.com, 312-943-1123; 773-350-5793 (cell)
