What We Do:
The MDTB plans and implements a preclinical Addiction Treatment Discovery Program (ATDP), with the goal of identifying potential medications to treat drug dependence disorders. The Program is implemented by coordinating the extramural activities of the MDTB and the Chemistry & Pharmaceutics Branch (CPB) and through close interactions with chemists and pharmaceutical company contacts. Within the ATDP, contract-supported activities range from in vitro receptor activity profiling to compound evaluations in advanced animal models. The MDTB also supports grants aimed at evaluating potential new pharmacotherapies to treat drug dependence.
Beyond medications discovery, the MDTB plans and implements a comprehensive preclinical Toxicology Program. Through contracts, the Toxicology Program supports all of the standard Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) preclinical safety studies required for IND and NDA filings with the FDA. In addition, contracts have been established to support specialized preclinical drug interaction studies in which the safety of potential medications is established in the presence of drugs of abuse.
For questions or inquiries about the ATDP or Toxicology Program, please contact: David A. White, Ph.D., Chief, Medications Discovery and Toxicology Branch at 301-827-5981, email: whitedav@nih.gov .