Portugal – Research and development consultancy services – MASSIVE – Metabolite Analysis System Supporting In-depth Validation and Exploration

Regulation (EU) 2023/1322, which establishes the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA), strengthens the Union’s preparedness for, and response to, drug-related health and security challenges. Article 15 in particular provides for a dedicated network of forensic and toxicology laboratories to enhance analytical capacity, harmonise methods, support quality assurance and facilitate the exchange of data and expertise across Member States. This strengthens and supports the timely detection, assessment and response to drug-related risks. Within this policy context, systematic investigation of drug metabolism is a cornerstone of clinical and forensic toxicology. Overall, the objective of this contract is to reinforce collective capacity across the EU to interpret toxicological findings and, critically, to improve the detection, identification, and timely reporting of exposure to NPS and other illicit drugs. By generating robust metabolic, pharmacological, and analytical data, and by consolidating these outputs into a centralised, accessible EU database, the project aims to strengthen timely reporting, harmonise practices, and ensure that toxicological evidence can be translated more effectively into monitoring, early warning, and public health responses to emerging NPS threats.