NIH Awards Grant to SRI International and UCSF to Study Pharmacogenetics of Nicotine Addiction and Treatment

Program will facilitate development of novel medications to reduce the impact of smoking as a major health problem

MENLO PARK, Calif. – January 25, 2006 – SRI International and the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), today announced they have received a five-year, $10 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for the Pharmacogenetics of Nicotine Addiction Treatment (PNAT) program. The interdisciplinary, multi-center research program is focused on the pharmacogenetics (the genetic influence on drug therapies) of nicotine addiction and treatment.

In related news, SRI today announced formation of its Molecular Genetics Program, "SRI Establishes New Molecular Genetics Program."

The PNAT program includes clinical, genetic, bioinformatic and statistical research goals. The long-term research objectives are to better individualize treatment for tobacco dependence, facilitate the development of novel medications and reduce the impact of smoking as a major health problem.

SRI's Huijun Ring, Ph.D., and Neal L. Benowitz, M.D., of University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) will serve as co-principal investigators. Gary Swan, Ph.D., director of SRI's Center for Health Sciences, will also provide leadership to the PNAT program. The team will develop a multi-center, interdisciplinary program to examine the genetic basis for individual variation in response to nicotine replacement medications and bupropion for treating tobacco dependence. The research program will also conduct exploratory studies on varenicline and rimonabant, two novel medications under clinical development for treating tobacco dependence.

The PNAT program is part of the Pharmacogenetics Research Network (PGRN), a nationwide network of scientists focused on helping doctors tailor drug prescriptions to people's unique genetic make-ups. Three NIH organizations fund the PNAT program: the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI).  

About SRI's Center for Health Sciences
Serving government and commercial clients in the health arena, SRI's Center for Health Sciences uses a multidisciplinary research approach to address complex challenges that arise at the interface of the basic sciences, clinical medicine, health care economics and the regulatory and legal environments.

About SRI International
Silicon Valley-based SRI International (www.sri.com) is one of the world's leading independent research and technology development organizations. Founded as Stanford Research institute in 1946, SRI has been meeting the strategic needs of clients for 60 years. The nonprofit research institute performs contract research and development for government agencies, commercial businesses and private foundations. In addition to conducting contract R&D, SRI licenses its technologies, forms strategic partnerships and creates spin-off companies.