Panel advances bill to create state grant program to support FDA ibogaine trials for opioid treatment

The Senate Finance Committee voted by voice to report House Bill 46 26 to the full Senate with the recommendation that it pass. Committee counsel described the measure as establishing a grant program administered by the Secretary of Health to support public–private partnerships that fund Food and Drug Administration drug development trials for ibogaine as a potential medication for opioid use disorder and other conditions.

Committee counsel said applicants chosen for grants must submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the FDA and seek Breakthrough Therapy designation for ibogaine. "If selected, a grant applicant is required to submit an investigational new drug application with the Federal Drug Administration and seek a breakthrough therapy designation for ibogaine," counsel said. The bill sets out an application process and eligibility criteria, creates a grant selection committee with membership criteria, and ties funding to appropriations, grants, gifts and donations.

The vice chairman moved to report the bill to the full Senate with the committee's recommendation that it pass; the motion carried on a voice vote. The transcript records no roll-call tally. The committee did not record debate or questions in the transcript beyond counsel's offer to answer questions.

The bill's next step is consideration by the full Senate; if enacted, agencies and potential research partners would need to coordinate with the Secretary of Health and the FDA on IND submissions and trial protocols.