In the fight against the nation’s drug overdose crisis, a vaccine against Fentanyl may soon be available.
Dr. Colin Haile, who leads a team of researchers at the University of Houston, described the current situation as interesting. We have developed a vaccination that can protect against Fentanyl.
Fentanyl Vaccine
The vaccination prevents the entry of the potent opioid into the brain by producing antibodies against it. If the medication does not enter the brain, there are no effects, including no euphoric or fatal consequences, Dr. Haile explained.
According to recent data from the CDC, about 107,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2021. Six hundred twenty-five of these deaths occurred in San Francisco, where drug overdose mortality increased by 45 percent in only two years.
Therapeutic, in the sense that the vaccine would be used to treat persons in recovery, but the doctor cautions that this is easier said than done. However, after five years of study and further testing, Dr. Haile is optimistic that the vaccine will be authorized by the FDA within the next four years.
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Opioid Abuse
According to Dr. Haile, the anti-fentanyl vaccine has already been tested on mice and rats. As of December 22, the team’s testing results demonstrated that the vaccination is 100% effective and inhibits the effects of fentanyl.
Haile said that the majority of the vaccine’s reagents had already been administered to humans. Currently on the market are pneumococcal and meningococcal vaccinations that contain a portion of this vaccine.
Due to U.S Food and Drug Administration standards, the group is presently developing a clinical-grade vaccine that will undergo toxicological testing (FDA). After the toxicological testing is complete, Dr. Haile and his colleagues will submit a request to the FDA to potentially launch a three-phase human clinical study.
Phase one of the clinical study will involve between 40 and 50 individuals with opioid use disorder and will focus largely on determining the safety of the vaccination. Phases two and three will require more time and people.
With the team’s present resources, Dr. Haile told 12 News that the proposal could be filed in around one year. He expressed optimism that the anti-fentanyl vaccination might be administered to the whole population over the next two to three years.
Dr. Haile stated that this vaccination might be advantageous for first responders who may come into touch with fentanyl, as well as for young individuals and children who may experiment with the drug.
Since 1999, West Virginia has had the greatest incidence of drug overdose deaths, therefore an anti-fentanyl vaccination might be of great assistance to our communities. Opioid use disorder is treatable, but according to research performed by the American Addiction Centers, as many as 91 percent of people in rehab will relapse. This anti-fentanyl vaccination might be the next step in the therapy chain for opioid misuse.
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