This $399,884 Project Grant award from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), under the Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs (CFDA 93.279), aims to identify small molecule compounds that can bind to the GPR26 receptor and potentially restore brain functions associated with the reward system, without directly affecting opioid receptors. The project will leverage DNA-encoded library (DEL) technology to screen 125 million novel compounds to identify high-affinity binders of the GPR26 receptor, which is expressed in brain regions relevant to substance use disorders. The key products and services to be delivered under this 1-year Phase I SBIR project include: 1) Conducting DEL screening campaigns to identify 100 preferred GPR26-binding hits, 2) Chemically synthesizing and validating the top 18 hits for physical binding and receptor activity in mammalian cells. This work represents a strong proof-of-concept that could lead to the initiation of a Phase II project to further develop 3-5 of the most promising therapeutic candidates.
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