{"id":27091,"date":"2025-07-14T12:32:14","date_gmt":"2025-07-14T06:47:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.revoscience.com\/en\/?p=27091"},"modified":"2025-07-14T12:32:16","modified_gmt":"2025-07-14T06:47:16","slug":"weekly-injection-could-be-life-changing-for-parkinsons-patients","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.revoscience.com\/en\/weekly-injection-could-be-life-changing-for-parkinsons-patients\/","title":{"rendered":"Weekly injection could be life-changing for Parkinson\u2019s patients"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The culmination of years of research to benefit Parkinson’s patients: UniSA PhD candidate Deepa Nakmode and her supervisor, Professor Sanjay Garg.<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A new weekly injectable drug could transform the lives of more than eight million people living with Parkinson\u2019s disease, potentially replacing the need for multiple daily tablets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scientists from the University of South Australia (UniSA) have developed a long-acting injectable formulation that delivers a steady dose of levodopa and carbidopa\u2014two key medications for Parkinson\u2019s\u2014over an entire week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their findings<\/a> have been reported in the journal Drug Delivery and Translational Research<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The biodegradable formulation is injected under the skin or into muscle tissue, where it gradually releases the medication over seven days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parkinson\u2019s disease is the second most common neurological disorder, affecting more than 8.5 million people worldwide. Currently, there is no cure, and the symptoms\u2014tremors, rigidity, and slow movement\u2014are managed with oral medications that must be taken several times a day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The frequent dosing is a burden, especially for elderly patients or those with swallowing difficulties, leading to inconsistent medication levels, more side effects, and reduced effectiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lead researcher Professor Sanjay Garg, from UniSA\u2019s Centre for Pharmaceutical Innovation, says the newly developed injectable could significantly improve treatment outcomes and patient adherence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur 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\u2019s care,\u201d Prof. Garg says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLevodopa is the gold-standard therapy for Parkinson\u2019s, but its short life span means it must be taken several times a day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UniSA PhD student Deepa Nakmode says the in situ implant is designed to release both levodopa and carbidopa steadily over one week, maintaining consistent plasma levels and reducing the risks associated with fluctuating drug concentrations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“After years of focused research, it’s gratifying to see our innovation in long-acting injectables for Parkinson\u2019s disease reach this stage. Our invention has now been filed for an Australian patent<\/a>,\u201d Nakmode says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The injectable gel combines an FDA-approved biodegradable polymer,\u00a0PLGA,\u00a0with\u00a0Eudragit L-100<\/a>, a pH-sensitive polymer, to achieve a controlled and sustained drug release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Extensive lab tests confirmed the system\u2019s effectiveness and safety:<\/p>\n\n\n\n