Scientists from the University of South Australia (UniSA) have developed a groundbreaking weekly injectable treatment for Parkinson’s disease that could significantly improve the lives of over eight million patients globally. The long-acting formulation, which combines an FDA-approved biodegradable substance with a pH-sensitive material, provides a controlled release of levodopa and carbidopa, the two key Parkinson’s medications, over the course of one week.
Current treatment for Parkinson’s disease relies on oral medications like levodopa and carbidopa, which must be taken multiple times a day. This approach can be particularly challenging for patients who struggle with swallowing or maintaining a consistent medication schedule, leading to inconsistent drug levels, increased side effects, and reduced treatment effectiveness. The new injectable therapy eliminates these issues by delivering a steady and sustained release of the medications, ensuring consistent plasma levels and reducing the risk of fluctuations that can worsen symptoms.
The gel-based treatment can be administered through a single injection under the skin or into muscle tissue, making it a convenient and less invasive option compared to surgical implants. Preliminary research indicates that the formulation can release 90% of the levodopa and 81% of the carbidopa over a seven-day period with minimal toxicity. After degrading by over 80% within a week, the gel poses no significant risk to cell viability, as confirmed by extensive lab tests.
“Reducing the frequency of dosing from multiple times a day to a weekly injection is a major step forward in Parkinson’s therapy,” said Professor Sanjay Garg, the lead researcher at UniSA. “We’re not just improving how the drug is delivered; we’re improving patients’ lives.” The breakthrough was recently published in the journal *Drug Delivery and Translational Research*, underscoring its potential to revolutionize Parkinson’s treatment and enhance the quality of life for patients worldwide.
The technology could also have wide-ranging implications for the management of other chronic conditions, including cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, and infections that require long-term drug delivery. The team is now preparing for clinical trials and exploring opportunities to make the injectable therapy commercially available. With its potential to reduce the burden of daily medication and improve treatment consistency, the new injectable formulation represents a significant advancement in the field of neurological disorders and drug delivery systems.