CHENNAI, May 29: Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) have claimed to have developed a less expensive injectable hydrogel that could transform the treatment of fibrosis and other chronic degenerative conditions by replacing weeks of repeated medication with a single localised dose.

The researchers estimate that treatment could possibly reduce therapy costs from approximately USD 2,000–3,000 per course to around USD 300, potentially making advanced fibrosis care more affordable and accessible.

Developed at the Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, IIT Madras, the innovation is designed to deliver antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory drugs directly at the affected site in a sustained and controlled manner, the institute said in a statement today.

A key differentiator of this patented technology is its use of combination of naturally derived biomaterials obtained from silk cocoons and seaweed, it said.

These materials are biodegradable, biocompatible, and aligned with India’s strengths in sericulture and its emerging seaweed-based bioeconomy.

The hydrogel combines therapeutic delivery with tissue healing support, creating a favourable environment for healthy cell growth while reducing inflammation and fibrosis.

The hydrogel also responds to disease-related inflammation, releasing higher doses when needed while gradually degrading without leaving any harmful residue.

Furthermore, the research team has performed a first-of-its-kind omics study to prove that these smart-tuned hydrogels inhibit the progression of fibrosis by regulating the mechanical properties and metabolism of the cells, the statement said.

The papers were co-authored by Varshiny Gopinath and Prof. Vignesh Muthuvijayan from IIT Madras and Prof. Mahadevan Rajasekaran from the University of California San Diego Health, US.

Elaborating on the need for such research, Prof. Vignesh Muthuvijayan, Department of Biotechnology, IIT Madras, said, “Fibroproliferative diseases, including pulmonary, liver, kidney and muscle fibrosis, are linked to nearly 45% of deaths globally. Existing treatments often require prolonged drug administration, can cause significant side effects and are frequently unable to stop disease progression effectively at the targeted site.”

Varshiny Gopinath, Research Scholar, IIT Madras, added, “The newly-developed platform seeks to address these limitations through a minimally invasive injectable therapy that converts from liquid to gel at body temperature, conforming precisely to the treatment site. Once administered, it can remain active locally for several days, reducing the need for repeated oral or systemic dosing.”

Commenting on real-world applications and next steps, Prof. Vignesh Muthuvijayan added, “IIT Madras is exploring pathways for real-world deployment through technology transfer, licensing to industry partners, or start-up creation. Potential applications include use during surgical procedures, where the gel can be applied directly before wound closure to provide localized therapy without additional intervention. The next phase of development will include advanced preclinical testing in disease models and patient-derived organoids, optimisation of dosage and release kinetics, long-term safety studies, manufacturing scale-up, and regulatory planning for translational use.”

Follow-up studies conducted in collaboration with the University of California, San Diego have also demonstrated efficacy across multiple disease models, particularly in aged muscle tissue.

The preliminary study shows that hydrogel has potential in treating sarcopenia, an age-related loss of muscle mass and strength that affects an estimated 10 to 16 per cent of the global elderly population and currently has no approved pharmacological treatment.