Researchers at the University of South Australia (UniSA) have made a significant breakthrough in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease by developing a long-acting injectable formulation that delivers consistent doses of two essential medications: levodopa and carbidopa.
This innovative weekly injection is poised to transform the lives of more than eight million people around the globe living with this neurological disorder and could greatly reduce the reliance on multiple daily oral medications.
Parkinson’s disease, which affects over 8.5 million individuals worldwide, is currently managed through oral medications that need to be taken several times a day.
The constant need for dosing can present a significant challenge, particularly for elderly patients or those struggling with swallowing difficulties.
The development of this biodegradable formulation allows for administration under the skin or into muscle tissue, where it gradually releases the medication over a period of one week.
Lead researcher Professor Sanjay Garg from UniSA’s Centre for Pharmaceutical Innovation emphasizes the potential of this injectable to significantly enhance treatment outcomes and patient adherence.
“Our goal was to create a formulation that simplifies treatment, improves patient compliance, and maintains consistent therapeutic levels of medication.
This weekly injection could be a game-changer for Parkinson’s care,” Prof Garg states.
The formulation is designed to release over 90% of the levodopa and 81% of the carbidopa within seven days following administration, demonstrating both effectiveness and safety.
The gel combines an FDA-approved biodegradable polymer known as PLGA with Eudragit L-100, a pH-sensitive polymer, to achieve this controlled release.
Extensive lab tests have confirmed the reliability of this system: beyond the impressive release rates, the implant also showed no significant toxicity in cell viability tests and degraded by over 80% within a week.
Moreover, the injection can be easily administered through a small 22-gauge needle, minimizing discomfort for patients and avoiding the necessity for surgical implants.
“This innovation is a significant step forward in Parkinson’s therapy,” remarks Prof Garg.
By decreasing dosing frequency from multiple times a day to just once a week, the injectable could drastically improve the quality of life for many patients managing this debilitating condition.
UniSA PhD student Deepa Nakmode notes the importance of maintaining consistent drug levels, which can help mitigate the risks associated with fluctuating medication concentrations.
“After years of focused research, it’s incredibly rewarding to see our innovation in long-acting injectables for Parkinson’s disease reach this stage.
Our invention has now been filed for an Australian patent,” Nakmode adds.
This new technology not only offers hope for individuals living with Parkinson’s, but it also has broad applications in other chronic conditions that require long-term medication.
Researchers believe that this same delivery system could be adapted for the treatment of various disorders, including cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, pain management, and chronic infections.
The system’s adaptability allows for the modification of drug release periods to target specific therapeutic needs—ranging from just a few days to several weeks.
The promising results have encouraged UniSA scientists to pursue clinical trials in the near future, and they are actively exploring commercialization opportunities to bring this innovation to patients who need it most.
This research not only highlights the advancements being made in neuropharmacology but also emphasizes the commitment to improving the lives of those affected by Parkinson’s disease.
The development was documented in the journal Drug Delivery and Translational Research, marking a step forward in the field of chronic disease management with long-acting injectables.
The research aims to overcome the significant risk of non-compliance associated with the current oral medication regime for Parkinson’s patients.
By utilizing a combination of poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA 50:50) and Eudragit L-100 for the implants, researchers were able to create a favorable release profile and pave the way for a new approach to medication administration.
The optimized formulation showed promising in vitro release study results, including an initial burst and effective release over the week.
The historical reliance on oral medications for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease has led to challenges in maintaining stable drug levels, increasing side effects, and reducing drug efficacy.
Professor Garg indicates that the implications of this research are significant.
“We’re not just improving how the drug is delivered; we’re actually improving patients’ lives,” he asserts.
Prof Garg and his team remain optimistic about the technology’s future and its potential to reshape treatments in the healthcare landscape.
As they prepare for the next stages of research and development, the focus will remain on enhanced patient outcomes and transforming chronic disease care.
With this long-acting formulation, the researchers at UniSA are taking an important step toward a future where Parkinson’s and other chronic conditions could be managed more effectively and with greater patient satisfaction.
image source from：neurosciencenews
