A new injectable gel is offering fresh hope for people living with Parkinson’s disease by dramatically improving how key medications are delivered. The innovative system combines an FDA-approved biodegradable polymer, PLGA, with Eudragit L-100, a pH-sensitive polymer, to enable a controlled and sustained release of drugs over an extended period.
Extensive laboratory studies have confirmed the safety and effectiveness of this novel approach. Results showed that more than 90% of the levodopa dose and over 81% of the carbidopa dose were gradually released over a full seven days. Importantly, the implant itself degraded by more than 80% within a week and displayed no significant toxicity in cell viability tests, highlighting its safety profile.
One of the major advantages of this gel formulation is that it can be administered with a fine 22-gauge needle. This means patients can avoid the discomfort of frequent daily doses and the risks associated with surgical implants.
“The implications of this research are profound,” says Prof. Garg, who leads the project. “Being able to reduce the frequency of dosing from several times a day to just once a week is a major step forward in Parkinson’s therapy. We’re not just changing how we deliver medication — we’re aiming to improve patients’ overall quality of life.”
Beyond Parkinson’s, the platform holds promise for other chronic conditions that require long-term drug delivery. These include cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, pain management, and persistent infections. The system can also be customised to release drugs over periods ranging from a few days to several weeks, depending on the treatment requirements.
Scientists at UniSA hope to begin clinical trials soon and are actively exploring opportunities for commercialisation, with the goal of making this breakthrough available to patients around the world.
