Revolutionary Weekly Injectable Drug for Parkinson's Disease Developed by Australian Scientists
Innovative Treatment for Parkinson's Disease
New Delhi, July 12: A groundbreaking injectable medication has been created by a team of scientists in Australia, including researchers of Indian descent. This new treatment, administered once a week, has the potential to significantly enhance the quality of life for over eight million individuals suffering from Parkinson's disease, potentially eliminating the need for multiple daily pills.
The frequent need for medication can be particularly challenging for older patients or those who have difficulty swallowing, often resulting in inconsistent drug levels, increased side effects, and diminished effectiveness.
To tackle this issue, the researchers from the University of South Australia (UniSA) have formulated a long-acting injectable that provides a consistent dose of levodopa and carbidopa—two essential drugs for managing Parkinson's symptoms—over the course of a week.
This biodegradable injection can be administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly, allowing for a gradual release of the medication throughout the week, as detailed in their study published in the journal Drug Delivery and Translational Research.
According to Professor Sanjay Garg, the lead researcher at UniSA's Center for Pharmaceutical Innovation, this new injectable could greatly enhance treatment outcomes and encourage patient adherence. He stated, "Our aim was to develop a formulation that simplifies treatment, boosts patient compliance, and ensures stable therapeutic levels of medication. This weekly injection could revolutionize Parkinson's care."
Levodopa is recognized as the primary treatment for Parkinson's; however, its short duration of action necessitates multiple daily doses.
The injectable gel utilizes a biodegradable polymer approved by the US FDA, PLGA, combined with Eudragit L-100, a polymer sensitive to pH changes, to facilitate controlled and sustained drug release.
The research team highlighted that the steady release of both levodopa and carbidopa over a week could help maintain stable plasma levels and mitigate the risks associated with fluctuating drug concentrations.
Comprehensive laboratory tests have validated the system's safety and effectiveness, with over 90% of the levodopa dose and more than 81% of the carbidopa dose being released within seven days.
Remarkably, the implant showed over 80% degradation within a week and did not exhibit significant toxicity in cell viability assessments.
Additionally, the formulation can be administered using a fine 22-gauge needle, reducing discomfort and removing the necessity for surgical implantation.
Garg also mentioned that this technology could be adapted for other chronic illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, pain management, and chronic infections that require long-term drug delivery.