Dr. Makriyannis has over 35 years experience in studying the endocannabinoid system where he has invented key cannabinoid tools to study the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors as well as, the enzymes involved in the modulation of this system. He has received numerous awards, among which include Lifetime Achievement Awards by the American Association of Pharmaceutical Sciences, (AAPS), the College of Problems in Drug Dependence (CPDD), the International Cannabinoid Research Society (ICRS), and the American Chemical Society (ACS), he has also been inducted in the Hall it’s Fame. He holds honorary doctorats from the School of Pharmacy, University of Athens and the Medical School, University of Crete.

Currently he holds the position of the Behrakis Professor of Pharmaceutical Biotecnology and the Director of the Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University. He has also founded 2 companies, MAKScientific, LLC and PafosPharma, LLC based on his work.

Dr. Makriyannis’ work include many “firsts” in the field of endocannabinoid research. He was the first to characterize a cannabinoid receptor antagonist (1994), first to characterize CB2 receptor antagonists (1995), first to discover an anandamide amidase inhibitor (1996), first in vivo imaging of CB1 receptors (1998), first highly selective CB2 agonists (1999), first CB2 candidates for neuropathic pain (2001), first CB1 neutral antagonists (2004), first early selective inhibitors for MGL (2009), first periperally acting neutral antagonist with reduced side effects (2010), first selective NAAA Inhibitors(2015), first CB1 receptor crystal structure (inactive receptor) (2016), CB1 (active receptor) (2017), and CB2 (inactive receptor) (2018).

To learn more about Dr. Makriyannis’ discoveries please click the following button to be connected to the Center for Drug Discovery (CDD) at Northeastern University.