Researchers at the University of Houston are working on a fentanyl vaccine they say could be life-saving for some people as the opioid epidemic continues to sweep cities and towns across New Hampshire, including Nashua and Manchester, two of the state’s largest cities . “We’ve never seen a deadlier drug in the United States,” said Jon Delena of DEA New England. Overdoses are on the rise in New Hampshire and across the country — and many of them are because of synthetic drugs like fentanyl, Delena says. “It’s enough to fit in the tip of a pencil,” Delena said. On Monday, the DEA announced that 6 out of 10 of the counterfeit pills it tests in its lab contain a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl. More than a year ago, 4 out of 10 contained that lethal amount. But University of Houston researchers are hoping , that a new breakthrough could turn things around. They have unveiled plans for a fentanyl vaccine – the one intended for people who are addicted and want to quit – that would prevent the drug from reaching the brain. “There are no euphoric effects and no lethal effects either.” Haile said toxicology studies are still needed before the FDA would have to approve human trials. “Every time I think about it, I get even more motivated,” Haile Delena said, saying that something is needed to slow this epidemic. “It really needs an all-man-on-deck approach,” Delena said. “We need everything we can right now.” News 9 has reached out to several local recovery centers to talk about the importance of this, but many said they still don’t know too much about it to make an informed comment for years.
Researchers at the University of Houston are working on a fentanyl vaccine they say could be life-saving for some people as the opioid epidemic continues to ravage cities and towns across New Hampshire.
Data from American Medical Response shows that in October there were 56 suspected drug overdoses in Nashua and Manchester, two of the state’s largest cities.
“We’ve never seen a deadlier drug in the United States,” said Jon Delena of DEA New England.
Overdoses are on the rise in New Hampshire and across the country — and many of them are due to synthetic drugs like fentanyl, according to Delena.
“It’s enough to fit in the tip of a pencil,” Delena said.
On Monday, the DEA announced that 6 out of 10 of the counterfeit pills they test in their lab contain a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl. More than a year ago, 4 out of 10 contained this deadly amount.
But University of Houston researchers are hoping a new breakthrough could turn things around.
They have unveiled plans for a fentanyl vaccine – designed for people who are addicted and want to quit – that would prevent the drug from reaching the brain.
“If the drug doesn’t get to the brain, there’s no effect,” said Dr. Colin Haile, UH Associate Professor of Science. “There are no euphoric effects and no deadly effects either.”
Haile said toxicology studies were still needed before the FDA would have to approve human trials.
“Every time I think about it, I get more motivated,” Haile said.
Delena said something is needed to slow down this epidemic.
“It really requires an all-mans-on-deck approach,” Delena said. “We need everything we can now.”
News 9 has reached out to several local recovery centers to talk about the importance of this, but many said they still don’t know too much about it to make an informed comment.
The researchers said if all goes according to plan, the three-dose shots could hit the market in a couple of years.