CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Alkermes, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALKS) today announced the initiation of a phase 1 study of ALKS 33, an oral opioid modulator for the potential treatment of addiction and other central nervous system (CNS) disorders. ALKS 33 is the company’s first novel, small molecule drug candidate to enter the clinic. The molecule builds on Alkermes’ scientific expertise in brain reward pathways as well as the company’s clinical and commercial knowledge in the field of addiction. In addition, Alkermes initiated a clinical pharmacokinetic study to further explore ALKS 29, a potential oral treatment for alcohol dependence.