Prof. Dr. Bankole A. Johnson
Professor Bankole A. Johnson
The Science
Landmark Contributions
A selection from a body of work spanning more than 300 peer-reviewed publications, over 100 international patents, and a research portfolio that reshaped clinical guidelines for alcohol and stimulant use disorders.
JAMA · 2000
Ondansetron for the Reduction of Drinking
A randomized controlled trial demonstrating that a serotonin-3 antagonist could reduce drinking among biologically predisposed alcoholic patients — a founding text of pharmacogenetic addiction treatment.
Invented by Dr. Johnson
BBCET — Brief Behavioral Compliance Enhancement Treatment
A fifteen-minute weekly protocol now used worldwide in addiction treatment, designed to keep patients on track without demanding hours of therapy.
The Lancet · 2003, confirmed JAMA · 2007
Oral Topiramate for Alcohol Dependence
The landmark trial establishing topiramate as an effective treatment for alcohol dependence — a discovery that also reduces seizures, withdrawal symptoms and relapse risk, now used worldwide.
ONWARD™ Phase 3 Trial · Ongoing
AD04 for Alcohol Use Disorder
A pivotal 290-patient trial across seven countries testing AD04 — a genetically targeted serotonin-3 antagonist — in patients matched to target genotypes by Adial's companion diagnostic test. Results to date show reduced drinking with no overt safety concerns.
The American Journal of Psychiatry · 2011
Pharmacogenetics at the Serotonin Transporter Gene
Demonstrated that genotyping at the serotonin transporter gene could predict — and reduce — the severity of alcohol drinking, founding personalized addiction pharmacotherapy.
U.S. Patent · Issued 2020
AD04 for Opioid Use Disorder
A second issued patent, again authored solely by Dr. Johnson, extending the AD04 platform toward opioid addiction — part of a patent estate expected to hold market exclusivity through 2032, with potential Hatch-Waxman extension to 2037.
Biological Psychiatry · 1997
The Value of a Null Result: Ritanserin in Cocaine Dependence
A scientifically important negative finding — ritanserin did not reduce cocaine use and prolonged the QTc interval. Reported and published rather than shelved, it forced a better question and modeled the discipline of stopping.
"Watch Your Brain Heal" — 3D neuroimaging tracking measurable progress through treatment, from bankolejohnson.com
JAMA · 2006
The COMBINE Study
A landmark multi-site randomized controlled trial evaluating combined pharmacotherapy and behavioral interventions for alcohol dependence — one of the most influential studies in addiction medicine, shaping evidence-based treatment protocols worldwide.
The Science
Landmark Contributions
A selection from a body of work spanning more than 300 peer-reviewed publications, over 100 international patents, and a research portfolio that reshaped clinical guidelines for alcohol and stimulant use disorders.
JAMA · 2000
Ondansetron for the Reduction of Drinking
A randomized controlled trial demonstrating that a serotonin-3 antagonist could reduce drinking among biologically predisposed alcoholic patients — a founding text of pharmacogenetic addiction treatment.
International Patents · 100+
Global Patent Portfolio
Patents spanning the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, New Zealand and more than twenty additional jurisdictions, protecting genetically-guided treatments for alcoholism and beyond.
The Lancet · 2003, confirmed JAMA · 2007
Oral Topiramate for Alcohol Dependence
The landmark trial establishing topiramate as an effective treatment for alcohol dependence — a discovery that also reduces seizures, withdrawal symptoms and relapse risk, now used worldwide.
Invented by Dr. Johnson
BBCET — Brief Behavioral Compliance Enhancement Treatment
A fifteen-minute weekly protocol now used worldwide in addiction treatment, designed to keep patients on track without demanding hours of therapy.
The American Journal of Psychiatry · 2011
Pharmacogenetics at the Serotonin Transporter Gene
Demonstrated that genotyping at the serotonin transporter gene could predict — and reduce — the severity of alcohol drinking, founding personalized addiction pharmacotherapy.
ONWARD™ Phase 3 Trial · Ongoing
AD04 for Alcohol Use Disorder
A pivotal 290-patient trial across seven countries testing AD04 — a genetically targeted serotonin-3 antagonist — in patients matched to target genotypes by Adial's companion diagnostic test. Results to date show reduced drinking with no overt safety concerns.
U.S. Patent · Issued 2020
AD04 for Opioid Use Disorder
A second issued patent, again authored solely by Dr. Johnson, extending the AD04 platform toward opioid addiction — part of a patent estate expected to hold market exclusivity through 2032, with potential Hatch-Waxman extension to 2037.
The Science
Landmark Contributions
A selection from a body of work spanning more than 300 peer-reviewed publications, over 100 international patents, and a research portfolio that reshaped clinical guidelines for alcohol and stimulant use disorders.
JAMA · 2000
Ondansetron for the Reduction of Drinking
A randomized controlled trial demonstrating that a serotonin-3 antagonist could reduce drinking among biologically predisposed alcoholic patients a founding text of pharmacogenetic addiction treatment.
International Patents · 100+
Global Patent Portfolio
Patents spanning the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, New Zealand and more than twenty additional jurisdictions, protecting genetically-guided treatments for alcoholism and beyond.
The Lancet · 2003, confirmed JAMA · 2007
Oral Topiramate for Alcohol Dependence
The landmark trial establishing topiramate as an effective treatment for alcohol dependence a discovery that also reduces seizures, withdrawal symptoms and relapse risk, now used worldwide.
Invented by Dr. Johnson
BBCET — Brief Behavioral Compliance Enhancement Treatment
A fifteen-minute weekly protocol now used worldwide in addiction treatment, designed to keep patients on track without demanding hours of therapy.
The American Journal of Psychiatry · 2011
Pharmacogenetics at the Serotonin Transporter Gene
Demonstrated that genotyping at the serotonin transporter gene could predict and reduce the severity of alcohol drinking, founding personalized addiction pharmacotherapy.
ONWARD™ Phase 3 Trial · Ongoing
AD04 for Alcohol Use Disorder
A pivotal 290-patient trial across seven countries testing AD04 a genetically targeted serotonin-3 antagonist in patients matched to target genotypes by Adial's companion diagnostic test. Results to date show reduced drinking with no overt safety concerns.
U.S. Patent · Issued 2020
AD04 for Opioid Use Disorder
A second issued patent, again authored solely by Dr. Johnson, extending the AD04 platform toward opioid addiction part of a patent estate expected to hold market exclusivity through 2032, with potential Hatch-Waxman extension to 2037.
Eight Priority Families, One Playbook
The Patent Estate, at a Glance
A selection from a body of work spanning more than 300 peer-reviewed publications, over 100 international patents, and a research portfolio that reshaped clinical guidelines for alcohol and stimulant use disorders.
F01
Filed 2006
Topiramate + ondansetron combination
8 jurisdictions
F02
Filed 2007
Topiramate + naltrexone
3 jurisdictions
F03
Filed 2007
Individual alcohol-sensitivity assessment
2 jurisdictions
F04
Filed 2007
Combination pharmacotherapy for addiction
4 jurisdictions
F05
Filed 2008
Serotonin transporter gene — alcoholism & opioid disorders
18 jurisdictions · 6 US grants
F06
Filed 2009
Serotonin transporter, follow-on family
5 jurisdictions
F07
Filed 2010
Molecular genetic diagnosis & treatment
17 jurisdictions · 9 US grants
F08
Filed 2011
Continuation, genotype-guided treatment
5 jurisdictions · 9 members
Presenting at ESBRA
European Society for Biomedical Research on Alcoholism — new approaches in AUD treatment
Thinking Differently About Treating Alcoholism
Different Brains — Part 1 of a two-part interview
Debunking the Myths About Alcoholism
Different Brains — on the science behind addiction
Dr. Johnson has also appeared twice on The Doctors Channel discussing AD04's path to Phase 3, and was a featured guest on The Black News Channel on the long-term mental-health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Replays are hosted on Adial's own newsroom.
A digital archive dedicated to the life, career, scientific contributions, and legacy of Prof. Dr. Bankole A. Johnson in regenerative medicine and neuroscience.
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