Our Mission

Tackle the Substance Use Disorder Crisis with Innovation

Substance use disorders (SUDs) remain critically underfunded despite their widespread societal impact. I4SUD is changing that by equipping scientists with the tools, training, and mentorship needed to turn groundbreaking research into real-world solutions.

Our program blends business, medicine, and science to help basic and clinical researchers—no prior business experience required—transform ideas into entrepreneurial ventures. Over several weeks, participants engage in asynchronous learning, followed by an intensive 4-day, in-person training in Baltimore, MD. The experience includes hands-on design thinking, clinical site visits, and insights from experts and those with lived SUD experience.

By program’s end, trainees will pitch their ideas to investors, with a chance to win seed funding and gain an edge in securing NIDA entrepreneurial grants. Graduates receive a formal certificate from the Carey Business School, and both individuals and teams are encouraged to apply.

Multidisciplinary Faculty

Our team comprises multidisciplinary faculty and experts from the fields of business, medicine, entrepreneurship and substance use disorders research.

Clinical Site Visits

Our participants get the opportunity to do first-hand market research by visiting operational clinics and organizations that serve persons with substance use disorders.

Certificate of Completion

All participants who complete the program receive a certificate of completion from the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School Office of Executive Education.

Adults Suffer from SUD

Totaling around 28.8 million people in the United States.

Fatal Overdoses Occur

In 2020, 30% higher than previous years.

In Costs to the U.S.

Between healthcare, law enforcement, and lost productivity.

Started or Increased Use

To cope with stress related to COVID-19 Pandemic.
People

Our Team

Kelly Dunn

Kelly Dunn

Faculty
Phillip Phan

Phillip Phan

Faculty
Supriya Munshaw

Supriya Munshaw

Faculty
Patrick Finan

Patrick Finan

Faculty
Sean Tackett

Sean Tackett

Faculty
Christopher Jeffers

Christopher Jeffers

Faculty
Jo Ellen Slurzberg

Jo Ellen Slurzberg

Faculty
Milton Greenberg

Milton Greenberg

Faculty

Applications for the 2025 Cohort will open on April 1, 2025

Participant Testimonials

Events and Engagement

Breaking Through: Finding novel solutions for Opioid Use Disorders using customer interviews

April 11, 2025, Noon – 1 PM ET

Join us for an insightful webinar featuring the authors of the recent publication, “Lessons from the National Institutes of Health Innovation Corps Program: Defining Barriers to Developing and Commercializing Novel Solutions for Persons with Opioid Use Disorder.” In this session, the authors will discuss their findings on the challenges innovators face in creating and bringing to market new solutions aimed at addressing opioid use disorder. Attendees will better understand the obstacles in this critical area and explore potential strategies to overcome them. This webinar is essential for healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers, and anyone interested in the development and commercialization of interventions for opioid use disorder. Learn more about how the Innovations for Substance Use Disorders (I4SUD) program can help you through this process.

Events

Xylazine: Where are the Market Gaps?

March 21, 2024

The veterinary tranquilizer xylazine is being associated with a rising count of overdose fatalities across the country amidst the ongoing crisis of drug addiction and overdose. Persons are often exposed to xylazine unintentionally through adulterated heroin/fentanyl products. Data on this important public health threat are just emerging and suggest that xylazine exposure changes the experience of fentanyl and may lead to medical consequences such as skin ulcers. There exist pressing gaps in surveillance and medical treatment of xylazine, which Dr. Kelly Dunn will explore in this webinar, focusing on areas where inventive solutions are urgently required.

Events

A Personalized Virtual Reality Environment Tool to Mitigate Opioid Use Disorder

May 23, 2024

Join I4SUD Alum and NIH $100K Challenge Winner, Dr. Lola Akintola to hear about her project and her experience with I4SUD

Events
Training Program

Courses

The comprehensive curriculum is geared towards academic researchers with little to no business knowledge.