Addiction Foundation Builds New Tulsa Laboratory Facility

The National Center for Addiction Studies and Treatment is launching an independent site using modular laboratory units.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Substance Abuse

Addiction Foundation Builds New Tulsa Laboratory Facility

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The National Center for Addiction Studies and Treatment (NCAST) is constructing a new office and laboratory facility in Tulsa. The $28 million project follows the organization's split from the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences in September 2025.

Why it matters

By establishing its own independent facility, NCAST aims to distinguish its research reputation and focus on generating revenue through intellectual property development. The organization intends to fund future operations by selling research to pharmaceutical companies via milestone payments.

NCAST is utilizing 16 modular laboratories, representing a $10.5 million investment, to support its 17 employees. These facilities are expected to have a 50-year lifespan to house the 20,000 experimental molecules transferred during the recent separation.

The players

National Center for Addiction Studies and Treatment

This foundation serves as an independent entity focused on addiction research and treatment.

Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences

This academic institution previously maintained a formal relationship with the foundation.

Art's-Way Scientific, Inc.

This company manufactures the modular laboratory units used in the foundation construction project.

Purdue Pharma

This pharmaceutical company was the defendant in the 2019 opioid lawsuit settled by the state of Oklahoma.

The details

The foundation is partnering with Art's-Way Scientific, Inc. to install pre-made modular units at the new Tulsa site. This physical expansion comes after NCAST previously maintained a working agreement for lab space at the University of Arizona.

2019: Oklahoma settled its opioid lawsuit with Purdue Pharma.
2024: NCAST reported $201 million in assets in its tax filing.
September 2025: NCAST separated from the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences.
Early 2026: The modular laboratory units will be transported to the Tulsa site.
2027: The new office and laboratory facility is expected to reach completion.

The Big Picture

This project follows the mandate set by the 2019 Oklahoma opioid settlement with Purdue Pharma to fund research into addiction. The construction represents an operational milestone for the independent foundation created under the terms of that legal agreement.

The new facility aims to streamline addiction research that may lead to future medical treatments. While the facility is focused on research rather than direct patient services, these developments are intended to eventually impact the broader healthcare landscape.

The takeaway

NCAST is using a modular construction approach to rapidly scale its independent research operations. The move underscores a strategic pivot toward generating self-sustaining revenue through pharmaceutical intellectual property.