The vaccine will be developed specifically for fentanyl, though the new technology could also be used for addictive drugs such as heroin or cocaine, said Jay Evans, PhD, director of the university’s Center for Translational Medicine.
The vaccine will generate antibodies that bind to fentanyl in the bloodstream and stop it from crossing the blood brain barrier. Patients addicted to opioids who receive the vaccine will therefore have no positive response to the drugs, making relapses less likely.
Dr. Evans said he hopes to start clinical trials in five years.
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