02/05/2026
A single jab a week could wipe out the burden of Parkinson’s meds.
A weekly injectable drug developed in Australia may soon transform life for millions living with Parkinson’s disease.
Researchers at the University of South Australia have created a slow-release formulation of levodopa and carbidopa—the cornerstone medications for Parkinson’s—delivered through a biodegradable gel implant.
This gel, injected under the skin or into muscle, steadily releases the drugs over seven days, ensuring stable symptom control and reducing the side effects and inconvenience linked to taking pills several times a day. The innovation could be especially beneficial for older patients or those with difficulty swallowing.
In lab tests, the gel safely released more than 90% of its medication over a week and showed no signs of toxicity. Designed to be administered with a standard syringe and requiring no surgery, this in-situ forming implant avoids the complications of earlier drug delivery systems. Lead researcher Professor Sanjay Garg emphasized that the goal is to improve patient compliance and quality of life through more consistent dosing. Human trials are the next step, and if successful, this injectable could replace daily medication and open new avenues for treating other chronic conditions with long-acting therapies.
Source:
Nakmode, D.D., Abdella, S., Song, Y. et al. Development of an in-situ forming implant system for levodopa and carbidopa for the treatment of parkinson’s disease. Drug Deliv. and Transl. Res. (2025)
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Source: https://tinyurl.com/Parkinsonsprotocols