National Institute on Drug Abuse
Division of Treatment Research and Development
Medications Discovery & Toxicology Branch
Branch Functions
- To plan, design, implement, and coordinate a set of comprehensive preclinical
discovery programs with the goals of identifying potential medications to
treat cocaine and opiate dependence. These programs are implemented by coordinating
the extramural activities of the Medications Discovery & Toxicology Branch
and the Chemistry & Pharmaceutics Branch, with input from certain NIDA intramural
projects. Within these discovery programs, the primary activities of the Medications
Discovery & Toxicology Branch include in vitro receptor and transporter
activity screening; preclinical behavioral screening; and pharmacological
profiling of candidate medications.
- To review in vitro and in vivo data from preclinical discovery programs and recommend specific compounds for advancement to preclinical development (i.e., to safety testing, pharmacokinetic evaluation, and dosage form development).
- To plan, design, and implement a comprehensive program of preclinical toxicological studies conducted under FDA Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) for the purpose of determining the safety of potential medications.
- To evaluate the safety of interactions between potential medications and drugs of abuse in general pharmacological/toxicological safety assessments as well as in special cardiovascular studies.
- To stimulate the development of new animal models and screening procedures which are applicable to the search for pharmacotherapies to treat drug dependence.
- To coordinate pre-IND medication development projects with other Branches
of the Division of Treatment Research and Development and with outside sponsors.
- To recommend compounds for advancement to clinical trials in which potential efficacy in treating substance abuse disorders is evaluated.
- To provide liaison, consultation, and collaboration via DTR&D's Regulatory
Affairs Branch with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and outside sponsors
on matters related to preclinical models of drug abuse and drug dependence.
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