Latest news with #SanjayGarg
Daily Record
6 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
Scientists make Parkinson's breakthrough with new weekly injectable drug
Scientists have developed a new weekly injectable drug that could transform the lives of more than eight million people living with Parkinson's disease. The new treatment, which helps with muscle tremors, could potentially replace the need for multiple daily tablets, making life simpler and easier for those living with the condition. Scientists from the University of South Australia (UniSA) developed a long-acting injectable formulation that delivers a steady dose of levodopa and carbidopa - two key medications for Parkinson's - to last an entire week. The medication comes in the form of a biodegradable gel that can be injected under the skin or into muscle tissue, where it gradually releases the drugs over a week-long period. Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurological disorder, affecting more than 8.5 million people worldwide. There are approximately 13,000 people living with Parkinson's disease in Scotland, according to Parkinson's UK. Currently there is no cure, and the many symptoms of the condition, including tremors, rigidity and slow movement, are currently managed with pills that must be taken several times a day. But scientists believe the newly developed injection for Parkinson's could revolutionise how the disease is treated, and change the lives of those living with the condition. Lead researcher Professor Sanjay Garg, from UniSA's Centre for Pharmaceutical Innovation, said: "Our 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's care. Levodopa is the gold-standard therapy for Parkinson's, but its short life span means it must be taken several times a day." But the new drug can stop the constant hassle of taking multiple pills every day. The jab can maintain consistent plasma levels in the body by slowly releasing both levodopa and carbidopa steadily throughout the week, which also reduces the risks associated with fluctuating drug concentrations. UniSA PhD student Deepa Nakmode said: "After years of focused research, it's incredibly rewarding to see our innovation in long-acting injectables for Parkinson's disease reach this stage. Our invention has now been filed for an Australian patent." The injectable gel combines an FDA-approved biodegradable polymer named PLGA with Eudragit L-100, which is a pH-sensitive polymer. This ensures a controlled and sustained drug release into the body. Prof Garg concluded: "The implications of this research are profound. By reducing the frequency of dosing from multiple times a day to a weekly injection is a major step forward in Parkinson's therapy. "We're not just improving how the drug is delivered; we're improving patients' lives." The scientist says this new technology could also be adapted for other chronic conditions such as cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, pain management, and chronic infections.
Fox News
6 days ago
- Health
- Fox News
New weekly injection for Parkinson's could replace daily pill for millions, study suggests
A new weekly injectable drug could transform the lives of more than eight million people living with Parkinson's disease, potentially replacing the need for daily pills. Scientists from the University of South Australia (UniSA) developed a long-acting injectable formulation that provides two key Parkinson's medications for an entire week. There is currently no cure for Parkinson's, which is the second-most common neurological disorder, affecting more than one million Americans, according to the Parkinson's Foundation. To manage symptoms like tremors, rigidity and slow movement, patients typically take daily oral medications, such as levodopa and carbidopa, according to the university's press release. This method can be especially difficult for individuals who have trouble swallowing or are otherwise unable to take the pills consistently, leading to irregular medication levels, increased side effects and reduced effectiveness. Levodopa is the "gold-standard therapy for Parkinson's," according to lead researcher Professor Sanjay Garg at UniSA, but its short lifespan means it must be taken several times a day. The researchers tested an injectable gel implant that combines an FDA-approved biodegradable substance with a pH-sensitive substance to achieve a controlled and sustained drug release. The gel is injected through a single shot under the skin or into the muscle tissue, which means there's no need for a surgical implant and discomfort is minimal, they noted. The team found that the gel gradually released the key Parkinson's medications (90% of the levodopa drug and 81% of the carbidopa) over the course of one week. The findings were published in the journal Drug Delivery and Translational Research. "Reducing the frequency of dosing from multiple times a day to a weekly injection is a major step forward in Parkinson's therapy," Garg said in the release. "We're not just improving how the drug is delivered; we're improving patients' lives." Extensive lab tests confirmed the system's effectiveness and safety. "We're not just improving how the drug is delivered; we're improving patients' lives." The implant degraded by over 80% within a week and showed no significant toxicity in cell viability tests. "The implications of this research are profound," Garg added. Deepa Nakmode, a PhD student at the University of South Australia, noted that this method 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. "After years of focused research, it's incredibly rewarding to see our innovation in long-acting injectables for Parkinson's disease reach this stage," he said in the release. The team's invention has now been filed for an Australian patent, Nakmode added. The technology could also be adapted for other chronic conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, chronic pain and infections that require long-term drug delivery, according to Garg. The system can be tuned to release drugs over a period ranging from a few days to several weeks, depending on therapeutic needs. For more Health articles, visit Scientists hope to start clinical trials in the near future and are exploring opportunities to make the gel commercially available.
ABC News
13-07-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Researchers develop injection in bid to replace multiple Parkinson's medications
Researchers have developed a new injection they hope will one day become a "game-changer" for people living with Parkinson's disease. 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.
Mint
05-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
Aakash accuses EY of professional misconduct, advising rivals in conflict of interest
New Delhi, Jul 5 (PTI) Test preparatory firm Aakash Educational Services has sent a legal notice to consultancy firm EY, its partners and officials, accusing them of advising rivals in conflict of interest and professional misconduct, the company said on Saturday. Aakash Educational Services Ltd (AESL) has alleged that EY was deeply involved in its financial operations since 2021, including advising on the proposed merger with Think & Learn Private Ltd, which owns the Byju's brand. The test preparatory firm said EY has been involved in the structuring and conversion of debentures into equity and it has now come to light that the consultancy firm also acted as the "exclusive financial advisor and official result validators" to AESL's direct competitor, Allen Career Institute. "Aakash Educational Services has served a second legal notice through Senior Advocate CV Nagesh to multiple partners and officials of Ernst & Young LLP (EY), accusing the firm of conflict of duty and professional misconduct," AESL said in a statement. An email query sent to EY did not elicit any reply. "The legal notice highlights that despite AESL's repeated requests through emails dated April 12, May 6, and May 17, 2025, EY has failed to provide documents and communications related to key transactions, suggesting concealment of critical information," the statement said. AESL alleged that the refusal contradicts EY's substantial involvement in AESL's decision-making and execution of transactions, including the once-proposed merger with TLPL and matters related to the issuance and conversion of debentures. AESL, Head for Legal, Sanjay Garg said the company has already issued notice to Ajay Shah of EY and also impleaded him and other partners of EY in the pending oppression and mismanagement petition filed by the RP of TLPL, who is also from EY, to respond to the allegations therein. "AESL has now come to know EY acted as an exclusive financial advisor and official result validators to a competitor which is a matter of deep concern. AESL is examining the initiation of further civil and criminal proceedings against EY in this regard," Garg said. AESL has claimed that this simultaneous engagement with a competitor represents an unethical conflict of interest and has called for an investigation into EY's conduct. Byju's founders have also sued EY, citing an email from a whistleblower which shows the involvement of the consultancy firm with GLAS Trust. US-based GLAS Trust has filed an insolvency case against Byju's.
India Today
21-06-2025
- Business
- India Today
Stitching a distinct narrative National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), New Delhi
NIFT's New Delhi campus blends latest tech, global exposure and deep industry linkages to empower students with future-ready skills, which has ensured it remains No. 1 in fashion education No. 1: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FASHION TECHNOLOGY (NIFT) , New Delhi 5 REASONS WHY IT IS THE BEST Established in 1986 as India's first dedicated fashion institute, NIFT's New Delhi campus has built a legacy spanning four decades. Its elevation to a statutory institute in 2006 gave it the power to award its own degrees, boosting its academic credibility and that of its sister institutes, setting them apart from private peers. Its curriculum is consistently updated to reflect global fashion trends and technological innovations. New modules on AI, AR, IoT, wearable tech and big data analytics ensure students are equipped with both creative and analytical skills, making them future-ready and highly employable in India and abroad. With a network of 42,000-plus alumni, including icons like Manish Arora, Sanjay Garg and Rajesh Pratap Singh, and deep ties with top brands like Nike, Myntra and Aditya Birla, the institute offers students robust mentorship, internships, industry collaboration and placements—giving them a competitive edge. Its Craft Cluster Initiative connects students with traditional artisans, while international collaborations with institutions like FIT, New York, and Whitecliffe Global, Auckland, open doors to dual degrees and cross-cultural learning. The campus is equipped with advanced labs featuring 3D printers, laser cutters, AI-powered tools and digital printing tech. Research-driven projects like VisioNxt and the NIFT Journal of Fashion foster innovation, while hands-on laboratory and workshop training ensures practical, real-world learning.
