Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jul 12: A groundbreaking advancement by a team of scientists in Australia—led by Indian-origin researchers—could dramatically change the treatment landscape for over eight million people living with Parkinson’s disease worldwide. The team has developed a once-a-week injectable formulation that delivers two essential Parkinson’s medications—levodopa and carbidopa—potentially replacing the need for multiple daily pills.
The innovation comes from the University of South Australia (UniSA), where researchers created a long-acting, biodegradable injectable gel that maintains steady therapeutic levels of medication over seven days. The breakthrough, detailed in the journal Drug Delivery and Translational Research, is designed to address the common challenges faced by Parkinson’s patients, such as frequent dosing, difficulty swallowing pills, and inconsistent drug levels.
“Levodopa is the gold standard for Parkinson’s treatment, but its short half-life necessitates multiple doses each day,” said Professor Sanjay Garg, lead researcher and director at UniSA’s Centre for Pharmaceutical Innovation. “Our goal was to simplify treatment, improve compliance, and ensure more consistent therapeutic outcomes. This injectable could truly be a game-changer in Parkinson’s care.”
Key Features of the Injectable:
• Sustained Release: The formulation steadily releases over 90% of levodopa and 81% of carbidopa across seven days.
• Biodegradable & Safe: Made from PLGA (an FDA-approved polymer) and Eudragit L-100, the gel breaks down naturally, showing over 80% degradation within a week, with no significant toxicity observed in lab tests.
• Minimally Invasive: It can be administered via a fine 22-gauge needle, eliminating the need for surgical procedures.
Frequent pill regimens, particularly for elderly patients, often result in missed doses, erratic symptom control, and increased side effects. By shifting to a once-weekly injection, the new method could vastly improve both patient adherence and quality of life.
Beyond Parkinson’s, Prof. Garg highlighted the broader potential of this delivery system: “This technology could be adapted for other chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, pain management, and chronic infections, where long-term, consistent drug delivery is critical.”
The innovation marks a major step forward in non-invasive, sustained-release treatments, offering renewed hope to millions worldwide battling long-term conditions that demand frequent medication.