Summary

Researchers have introduced a long-lasting weekly injection that steadily releases levodopa and carbidopa, which could significantly improve the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. This biodegradable injectable keeps drug levels consistent, potentially reducing the need for multiple daily pills and enhancing patient adherence.

In laboratory evaluations, the gel demonstrated the ability to release over 90% of levodopa and 81% of carbidopa within a week, while maintaining minimal toxicity and being easy to administer. This innovation might also lead to similar long-lasting therapies for other chronic conditions.

Key Facts

• Steady Dosing: This injectable keeps therapeutic drug levels consistent over a week, enhancing symptom management.
• Easier for Patients: It lightens the load of taking numerous daily pills, especially for older patients who may have trouble swallowing.
• Broad Potential: The technology may be used for other chronic illnesses needing extended treatment.

A New Breakthrough in Parkinson’s Treatment

A new weekly injectable could potentially change the lives of over eight million individuals with Parkinson’s disease, offering an alternative to the hassle of daily tablets.

Scientists at the University of South Australia (UniSA) have crafted a long-acting injectable that delivers a steady dose of the crucial Parkinson’s medications, levodopa and carbidopa, over an entire week.

The biodegradable formulation can be injected beneath the skin or into muscle, gradually releasing the medication throughout the week.

Parkinson’s disease, the second most prevalent neurological disorder, afflicts more than 8.5 million individuals globally. As of now, there’s no cure, and symptoms like tremors and rigidity are managed with oral medications that must be consumed several times daily.

This frequent dosing can be particularly challenging for elderly patients or those with swallowing issues, leading to uneven medication levels and heightened side effects.

Lead researcher Professor Sanjay Garg from UniSA’s Centre for Pharmaceutical Innovation notes that this new injectable could greatly enhance treatment outcomes and improve how consistently patients follow their medication regimens.

“We aimed to devise a formulation that simplifies treatment, boosts patient compliance, and maintains steady medication levels. This weekly injection may revolutionize Parkinson’s care,” Prof. Garg says.

According to UniSA PhD student Deepa Nakmode, the implant is designed to release both drugs steadily over a week, ensuring consistent plasma levels and minimizing risks tied to fluctuating medication concentrations.

“Seeing our innovation in long-acting injectables for Parkinson’s disease reach this stage is incredibly fulfilling after years of dedicated research. We’ve now filed for an Australian patent,” Nakmode explains.

The injectable gel uses an FDA-approved biodegradable polymer, PLGA, combined with Eudragit L-100, a pH-sensitive polymer, to ensure controlled and sustained drug release.

Comprehensive lab tests confirmed the system’s efficacy and safety:

• More than 90% of the levodopa and 81% of the carbidopa doses were released during the week.
• The implant degraded over 80% within a week, with no significant toxicity observed in viability tests.
• The formulation can be injected with a fine 22-gauge needle, reducing discomfort and eliminating the need for surgical implants.

“The implications of this research are far-reaching,” Prof. Garg states.

“Transitioning from multiple daily doses to a weekly injection is a significant advancement in Parkinson’s treatment. We’re enhancing not just the delivery of the drug but also the quality of life for patients.”

The technology could potentially be adapted for a range of other chronic conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, pain management, and persistent infections that require long-term medication.

This system can be adjusted to release drugs across various timeframes, from a few days to several weeks, depending on what the patient needs.

The team at UniSA is hopeful to initiate clinical trials soon and is looking into options for commercialization.