Strategic Initiatives Expediting Botulinum Toxin Industry Growth

Neurotoxins like botulinum toxins, which can affect nerves and cause muscle weakening, are gaining high acceptance for medical or cosmetic applications. Also referred to as Botox, this toxin is becoming a popular injectable solution, owing to its ability to temporarily reduce or eliminate wrinkles and fine facial lines.

One of the key factors adding impetus to the botulinum toxin market expansion is a considerable increase in spending on cosmetic surgeries. As per data from the Aesthetic Society members using the ANN (Aesthetic Neural Network), Americans spent around $8.7 billion on aesthetic plastic surgery between 1^st January 2021 to 1^st July 2021, up from nearly $6 billion in 2020, contributing to the popularity of botulinum toxin injections.

Over the years, government bodies have been approving new botulinum toxin treatments for both aesthetic and non-aesthetic procedures. Listed below are 3 major factors strengthening the botulinum toxin industry development:

• FDA approval for label expansion of Allergen’s BOTOX 

Spasticity, which is common in adults with cerebral palsy and other conditions, is becoming a major health concern that can severely interfere with normal muscle function and movement. For patients with cerebral palsy, over 80% are diagnosed with spasticity, as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, making the management of spasticity symptoms a key part of the care plan. These factors could give rise to the approval of new Botox injections for spasticity treatment worldwide.

Citing an instance, in July 2021, Allergan announced the U.S. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approval of BOTOX’s label expansion to include 8 new muscles to treat upper limb spasticity among adults. This initiative can offer physicians and patients another tool to ensure comprehensive treatment for spasticity management.

• Aquavit’s DTX-021 to treat glabellar lines

Various multi-specialty healthcare solutions providers are emphasizing the development and launch of botulinum toxins to assert a positive influence on the fast-growing neurotoxin sector. These product development activities are also geared toward modernizing the aesthetic treatment paradigm.

For example, in April 2022, Aquavit’s Dermatox or DTX-021 emerged as a game-changer in the aesthetic treatment sector. This new injectable, hailed as a clinically tested and highly purified injectable neuromodulator, was aimed at treating glabellar lines on the forehead. In line with approval from the FDA, this treatment was among the latest in a wave of neurotoxins being launched into the rapidly expanding non-invasive treatment domain.

• Teijin Pharma’s Xeomin for lower limb spasticity treatment in Japan

Lower limb spasticity is mainly characterized by increased muscle tone and the hyperexcitability of stretch reflex as an aftereffect of stroke. Its symptoms include difficulty in walking and a high risk of falling due to the instability of the trunk. To cater to the needs of patients with stroke and those with high chances of developing lower limb spasticity, various Botox injection treatments are being made available worldwide.

For example, in June 2021, Merz Therapeutics and Teijin Pharma Limited revealed that Teijin Pharma had received additional approval from Japan’s MHLW (Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare for marketing Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxinA) for intramuscular injection in 50, 100, and 200 units to treat lower limb spasticity. Strategies such as this label extension to serve post-stroke spasticity patients in Japan could stimulate demand for botulinum toxin and boost overall market development in the years ahead.

Source: https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/botulinum-toxin-market