HOUSTON – The first-of-its-kind anti-fentanyl vaccine is one step closer to saving lives.
This is a story our Zach Lashway broke in 2022. Doctor Colin Haile, an associate professor at University of Houston confirmed the shot is headed to clinical trials in early 2025.
“They’re manufacturing clinical grade vaccine right now,” explained Haile.
From here it will take time before the vaccine makes its way to market.
“Best case scenario, three years, maybe more,” said Haile.
The entire makeup of Haile’s anti-fentanyl vaccine formula is already being used in humans.
“Because of that, we’re really hoping that we’ll get an expedited approval,” explained Haile. “This vaccine is primarily for those that really want to quit, but we know there’s a very high percentage of this population that do relapse. I see it as a relapse prevention agent. The advantage of the vaccine is that you cannot get rid of the antibodies. You can’t stop them. Like you can stop your medication. When this individual vaccinated individual ingests fentanyl, those antibodies bind to the drug, prevent it from getting into the brain and causing euphoria or even overdose death. Eliminated from the body with no effects.”
Haile suggests this vaccine could also benefit teens, first responders and law enforcement officers, including canines on the frontlines.
It’s preventative, whereas most tools we have to combat the opioid epidemic is reactive, drugs like naloxone.
“If the individual has overdosed, most likely they will not be able to give it to themselves. So, there is only a limited scenario in which Narcan can be used,” explained Haile.
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