The Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) is revolutionizing the cocaine addiction treatment and crack. This is because, with the development of the drug Calixcoca, researchers have already obtained results promising in preclinical tests in rats since 2015, producing anti-cocaine antibodies in the organism of these animals.
Now, specialists are looking for resources to start studies in humans.
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Professor Frederico Garcia led the development of the vaccine that promises to be innovative and effective in combating the effects of the drug.
But how does it work? Simple: it prevents the brain circuit responsible for drug compulsion from being reactivated, providing a safer and relapse-free treatment.
In addition, Calixcoca is among the finalists of the Euro Health Innovation Award – America Latina, competing for the highlight of this edition and being able to receive 500 thousand euros for its awesomeness.
The discovery is a historic milestone for Brazilian science and can help fight chemical dependency that affects thousands of people. UFMG emphasizes the importance of investing in people's health, as this positively affects not only their individual lives, but also society as a whole.
The expectation is that Calixcoca can bring new perspectives for the treatment of chemical dependency in Brazil and in the world.
Vaccine will be the solution against drug addiction in pregnant women
The vaccine will also be able to protect pregnant women against drug addiction and reduce the risk of miscarriages, in addition to contributing to weight gain in fetuses.
The study was motivated by the suffering of crack-dependent pregnant women who sought help at the university clinic.
According to the professor responsible for developing the vaccine, Garcia, puppies born to vaccinated mothers have anti-cocaine antibodies in their current blood, passed through the placenta and breast milk, which avoids withdrawal symptoms and increases drug resistance compared to children of non-parents vaccinated.
For him, the pain and suffering experienced by crack-dependent pregnant women who seek help at the university's outpatient clinic was the main motivation for the study. According to the professor, it is an agonizing conflict between protecting their babies and drug compulsion.
The vaccine was developed from a new molecule built by the UFMG Chemistry department and proved to be efficient and safe in animal tests.
Now, researchers are looking for partnerships to advance clinical studies and make the vaccine accessible to the general public.
The discovery is an important milestone in the fight against chemical dependency in pregnant women and can bring hope to thousands of women who face this challenge.
