Bengaluru, April 8: Researchers at the Wits Advanced Drug Delivery Platform (WADDP) have developed a groundbreaking nano-based inhalable drug delivery system designed to treat tuberculosis (TB) more effectively by delivering medication directly to the lungs, the primary site of infection.
The innovative nanocarrier encapsulates all four standard TB drugs—rifampicin, isoniazid, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide—in a single formulation and releases them precisely at the infection site. By bypassing the liver and bloodstream, the system reduces drug loss, increases local concentration in the lungs, and has the potential to shorten treatment time and improve patient adherence.
“TB is clever—it hides in lung pockets where oral drugs can’t reach. Our system is designed to be smarter and go exactly where it’s needed,” said Dr. Lindokuhle Ngema, postdoctoral researcher at WADDP.
Addressing an Ancient Enemy
TB, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, remains a major global health challenge, with 10 million new infections and 1.8 million deaths annually. In South Africa alone, TB claimed more than 56,000 lives in 2023. Conventional oral therapy, taken over six months, often leads to non-adherence and contributes to the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) TB.
Precision Nanomedicine for Targeted Therapy
The inhalable nanocarrier is biocompatible, non-toxic, and engineered at the molecular level to release the drugs gradually at the infection site. Partnering with the Nuclear Medicine Research Institute (NuMeRI), the team is using nuclear imaging to track the nanoparticles in real time, ensuring they reach the hidden TB pockets that conventional therapy often misses.
“This technology allows us to treat smarter, faster, and with greater impact, aligning with the WHO’s End TB Strategy,” said Professor Yahya Choonara, director of WADDP.
Global Collaboration and Research Excellence
The project benefited from a TWAS fellowship, enabling Dr. Ngema to conduct advanced experiments in Professor Twan Lemmers’ lab at RWTh Aachen University Hospital, Germany, optimizing drug release profiles for maximum efficacy.
Looking Ahead
With early results showing that the four-drug combination can be effectively delivered in a single inhalable dose, the team is now focused on translating this breakthrough into real-world applications.
“If we can make TB treatment easier, faster, and more precise, we’re not just improving outcomes—we’re restoring hope,” said Dr. Ngema.
This nano-based inhalable therapy represents a significant step forward in combating one of humanity’s oldest and deadliest diseases, offering the potential to reduce treatment burden, curb drug resistance, and ultimately save lives.
