Scientists from the University of South Australia (UniSA) have developed a new weekly injection that could greatly improve the lives of more than eight million people living with Parkinson’s disease.
The injectable delivers a steady dose of two key medications—levodopa and carbidopa—over the course of seven days, removing the need for patients to take multiple tablets every day.
Parkinson’s disease is the second most common brain disorder in the world, affecting over 8.5 million people. It causes symptoms like shaking, stiffness, and slow movement.
These symptoms are typically managed with medications taken several times a day, which can be challenging for older adults or those who have trouble swallowing pills. This frequent dosing also causes uneven drug levels in the body, leading to more side effects and reduced effectiveness.
The research team at UniSA, led by Professor Sanjay Garg from the Centre for Pharmaceutical Innovation, created a long-acting injectable formulation that could change all that. The new injectable is made from safe, biodegradable materials and is injected under the skin or into the muscle. Once injected, it slowly releases medication over a week.
“Our goal was to make Parkinson’s treatment simpler and more reliable,” said Professor Garg. “This weekly injection could really change how patients manage their condition.”
PhD student Deepa Nakmode explained that the injectable implant steadily releases both levodopa and carbidopa, maintaining steady drug levels in the body and avoiding the ups and downs seen with tablets. “After years of hard work, it’s amazing to see our research reach this point. We’ve even filed for an Australian patent,” she said.
The injection uses a mix of two materials: PLGA, which is already approved by the U.S. FDA, and Eudragit L-100, a pH-sensitive material. Together, they control how the drug is released into the body.
In lab tests, the injectable released more than 90% of the levodopa and more than 81% of the carbidopa over seven days. The implant also broke down safely and showed no harmful effects on cells. It can be injected using a fine needle, making it easier and more comfortable for patients.
Professor Garg noted that the impact of this development goes beyond Parkinson’s disease. “Reducing the need for frequent doses is a big step forward. This same technology could be used for other chronic conditions like diabetes, cancer, chronic pain, or long-term infections,” he said.
The team hopes to begin clinical trials soon and is looking for opportunities to bring the treatment to market.
If you care about Parkinson’s disease, please read studies that Vitamin B may slow down cognitive decline, and Mediterranean diet could help lower risk of Parkinson’s.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies that blueberry supplements may prevent cognitive decline, and results showing Plant-based diets could protect cognitive health from air pollution.
The study is published in Drug Delivery and Translational Research.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
