Joao P. De Aquino, MD, assistant professor of psychiatry, has been selected to participate in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Ventures program.
This hybrid program, held at MIT in collaboration with the National Institute on Drug Abuse, brings together innovators from academia and the private sector to develop scalable solutions for substance use disorders.
The program consists of live expert webinars, online courses, and culminates in an intensive five-day bootcamp at MIT. The goal is to spark the creation of innovative biomedical ventures in the substance use disorder space, addressing this challenging problem area.
Participants work with exceptional and diverse teams, including substance use disorder researchers, engineers, and entrepreneurs, focusing on key areas such leveraging technology to improve addiction treatment, enhancing drug delivery and success, and addressing substance use disorders in vulnerable populations. The program also allows participants to choose their own topics.
Participants receive advice from entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts, immersing themselves in the dynamic and high-energy environment unique to MIT programs. They walk away with a community of innovators and a robust support system.
De Aquino's participation in the program highlights his commitment to advancing research and innovation in substance use disorder therapeutics. This initiative provides a unique opportunity to collaborate with leading innovators in the field and develop impactful solutions for substance use disorders.
De Aquino is founding director of the NIH–funded Pain and Addiction Interaction Neurosciences (PAIN) Lab, which combines behavioral pharmacology, psychophysical techniques and clinical trials to develop novel, non-opioid therapeutics to treat pain and addiction.