Novel Bifunctional Small Molecule for the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder

SUMMARYAlcohol use disorder (AUD) is a common problem that affects over 14 million Americans at a cost of $250B and yet less than 10% of the afflicted population are treated with medication that is known to be effective. The current pandemic and the resulting social isolation have resulted in a significant increase in the prevalence and severity of this condition. However, currently available treatments are old, have many side effects and are not effective for all patients.Endogenous neuropeptides called endorphins are involved in the addiction process and the most effective treatment is naltrexone that inhibits all 3 opioid receptors (mu, delta and kappa). Unfortunately, naltrexone does not adequately deal with the common symptoms of anxiety and depression associated with AUD. Recent research suggests that there may be other molecules with different mechanisms of action that might be more effective than naltrexone or at least have less undesired side effects.Under the leadership of Professor Richard Van Rijn, PhD, Purdue University has world renowned expertise and some of the best assays to investigate these novel compounds. We believe that Dina Pharma Inc. is the only company actively conducting research into these novel molecules that might be the ideal therapeutic approach to treatment of AUD. Therefore, Purdue University and Dina have the makings of an excellent research partnership.This NIH STTR project through NIAAA will combine the expertise of Dina Pharma and Purdue University personnel to characterize the properties of these novel compounds and to demonstrate their utility in preclinical models of AUD. Success of this research, given the urgent unmet medical need for treating AUD, will compel Dina Pharma to prioritize this line of research and quickly move to human studies. This promises a rapid path to new effective medicines for patients with this debilitating disease.NARRATIVE Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a common problem that affects over 14 million Americans at a cost of $250B having been made worse by the pandemic and yet less than 10% of the afflicted population are treated with medication. This is partly because the available treatments are old, and also, not universally effective. Leveraging recent advances in understanding of the mechanism of addiction and potential therapies, Dina Pharma can test its novel molecules during this Phase I SBIR to identify a superior drug that could lead to a better pharmaceutical treatment for AUD.