A Vision Engaging Pharmacokinetic Strategies To Treat Substance Abuse Disorders and Overdose

Dr. Janda is the Ely R. Callaway Jr. Professor of Chemistry and director or the Worm Institute for Research & Medicine at Scripps Research. His research blends medicinal chemistry and molecular biology with neuropharmacology and immunology.

Our ability to aid individuals with a substance use disorder is handicapped by the lack of sufficient treatment modalities. Traditional, small-molecule approaches have only been marginally successful. Biologics-based therapeutics offer an alternative to customary pharmacodynamic approaches for treating both substance use disorders as well as lethality threats from many of these drugs. Dr. Janda will discuss the history and basic tenets on vaccination as well as how vaccination can alter the pharmacokinetic properties of drugs without burdening the recipient with untoward side effects. The lecture will detail the chemistry, immunology, and behavioral findings from vaccines against opioids, including heroin and the synthetic opioids fentanyl and carfentanil, as well as a bacterial source to treat nicotine substance disorders and poisoning.