Vaccine against crack and cocaine addiction will receive R$ 10 million investment

Addiction

Since 2015, UFMG researchers have been working on the creation of the immunizer

Minas Gerais (MG) – A vaccine developed by researchers from the Center for Research in Vulnerability and Health (Naves) at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) aims to protect people from addiction to crack and cocaine. The project will receive an investment of R$ 10 million, financed by the Research Support Foundation of the State of Minas Gerais (Fapemig).

Since 2015, UFMG researchers have been working on the creation of the vaccine, which went through pre-clinical phases involving tests on mice and primates, proving its safety and efficacy. This initial stage also received financial support from Fapemig. The next step will be to start clinical trials on humans.

During the funding announcement, Minas Gerais State Secretary of Health, Fábio Bacheretti, stated that the Dean of UFMG requested support and, in response, the first R$ 10 million were made available to boost this promising phase of vaccine research.

The Minister of Health, Nísia Trindade, also participated in the meeting and highlighted UFMG’s historic role in the leadership and development of vaccines, as well as its contribution to the Unified Health System (SUS) and to science and technology in general. In addition to investing in the vaccine against crack and cocaine, the minister also announced R$ 180 million in investments for the health area in Minas Gerais.

The vaccine in question is based on modified molecules of the drug itself. In animal tests, it stimulated the immune system to produce antibodies that bound to the drug present in the animals’ bloodstream. This bond increased the size of the drug’s molecules, preventing their passage through the blood-brain barrier, which regulates the transport of substances between the blood and the central nervous system.

With the drug blocked from reaching the brain, the animals did not feel the effects of the substance. The researchers hope that this effect will be repeated in tests with human beings, drastically reducing the desire to consume crack and cocaine, thus helping to combat addiction and its devastating effects.

*With information from the Earth website

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