One of the most important missions of NIH is to accelerate the movement of research discoveries into clinical applications. The pathway to medications development includes preclinical testing, clinical trials and, finally, approval and dissemination of effective clinical trial results. A robust, interdisciplinary and translational effort is needed to achieve these milestones.
NIAAA has formed a Medications Development working group that consists of members who have the required multi-disciplinary expertise in areas ranging from molecular genetics and cell biology to animal and human models to clinical trials, health services and technology transfer.
NIAAA’s goal is to facilitate the discovery, development, and delivery of medications to treat alcohol use disorders and alcohol-related medical disorders.
Medications development is a high priority at NIAAA. In our extramural research program, we are funding approximately 70 grants on medications development to academic sites and small business companies.
In addition, NIAAA has developed a program to conduct early Phase 2 clinical trials. This program will provide information rapidly and efficiently about the efficacy and safety of the trial medication.
Primary objectives of the Medications Development program include discovering key molecular targets for drug discovery, identifying genotypic and phenotypic characteristics that predict efficacy and safety, and facilitating the use of medications in the health care delivery system.
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