The HHS Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) is soliciting Solution Summaries for ASCENT-IBO, Accelerating Safe Clinical Evaluation of Novel Treatments: Ibogaine for Better Outcomes in Opioid Use Disorder. The initiative is intended to accelerate early-stage Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials of ibogaine for people with opioid use disorder who are at high risk of poor health outcomes, while prioritizing patient safety and creating evidence suitable for later Phase 3 development.
ARPA-H is advancing ASCENT-IBO through the Proactive Health Mission Office Innovative Solutions Opening, ARPA-H-SOL-24-106, with Special Notice ARPA-H-SN-26-158 maintained on SAM.gov. ARPA-H calls for participation from researchers, clinicians, innovators, academia, industry, and government, and anticipates that multidisciplinary teaming may be necessary.
The next controlling applicant-entry milestone is the Solution Summary requested by October 15, 2026 at 9:00 PM ET. The optional Proposers’ Day is scheduled for September 15, 2026. Applicants should review the current Special Notice, ISO terms, submission templates, evaluation criteria, eligibility requirements, clinical-trial and regulatory obligations, registrations, intellectual-property terms, and any FAQs or amendments before proceeding. ARPA-H does not state an award amount on the public ASCENT-IBO program page.
Atlas Opportunity Score: 62/100. N9+ Fit: 12/100. The program is strongly aligned with behavioral health and clinical research, but the published objective is ibogaine clinical development rather than telehealth or remote physical examination. A limited ancillary role for guided examination or vital-sign capture could be legitimate only if specifically justified by the clinical protocol and permitted by the controlling solicitation. Dr. Miltie should not be advanced as prime absent verified investigational-drug sponsor, FDA/DEA, pharmacy, clinical-site, safety-monitoring, and trial-management capabilities.