Researchers develop injection in bid to replace multiple Parkinson's medications
Scientists from the University of South Australia have worked for more than two years to develop the formula, designed to replace the need for multiple daily oral medications.
The dose combines two commonly used medications for Parkinson's — levodopa and carbidopa — into a single injection.
The biodegradable solution is designed to be injected into a patient where it forms an implant under the skin and steadily releases the medication over seven days.
"One injection will be good for one week as compared to a patient taking three or four tablets every day," Professor Sanjay Garg, from the University of South Australia's Centre for Pharmaceutical Innovation, said.
Laboratory tests have so far confirmed the formula's effectiveness, but Professor Garg said the real test will be clinical trials in humans, which have yet to be undertaken.
Professor Garg said the next phase will be to begin animal testing, which he hopes to start in six months, pending ethics approvals.
"We will be applying these injections to animals and then assessing their blood concentrations to see how the drug release is happening," he said.
He hopes the research could open up more possibilities to develop better ways to treat other chronic diseases.
National peak body, Parkinson's Australia, estimates more than 150,000 Australians currently live with the disease, which progressively worsens over time and has no known cure, with treatment focusing on managing symptoms.
University of South Australia PhD student, Deepa Nakmode, said the aim of creating an injectable drug was to simplify treatment for patients who currently take tablets between three to five times per day.
Ms Nakmode said for elderly patients in particular, it can be difficult to remember to take each dose at the right time.
"Even if they miss a single dose, they can't perform day to day activities normally," she said.
Ms Nakmode said around 100 different combinations were tested before arriving at the final product, which has been filed for an Australian patent.
"As a scientist you feel proud to come up with a product which is clinically needed, not just for the sake of research," she said.
Parkinson's Australia CEO, Olivia Nassaris, has welcomed the findings, which she described as a "breakthrough" for patients.
"There hasn't been much progress in Parkinson's medications for a number of years and the community is mostly on oral medications," Ms Nassaris said.
"There is no such medication on the market which is the same as this."
Former academic Peter Willis was diagnosed with the neurodegenerative condition 10 years ago, when he was in his 70s.
"I was in the car and my hand shook. I thought, 'That's funny, I don't recall that happening [before]'," Mr Willis said.
The 86-year-old takes oral medication four times a day in addition to other tablets for a heart condition — but he admits he sometimes forgets.
He said a weekly injection would be easier to manage.
"Having to remember four every day is a pain in the arse," he said.
Mr Willis said he noticed a deterioration in his symptoms if he was not precise in the timing of taking his daily medications.
"If you don't take the tablet on time, you discover you can't walk," he said.
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