DelNova Inc. is working on a drug called ReViVox designed to counteract the side effects associated with botulinum neurotoxin treatment. These neurotoxins, including Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, Jeauveau, and Daxxify, are used for reducing wrinkles in facial aesthetics.
DelNova has announced the first successful demonstration of reversing muscle weakness caused by neurotoxins in human subjects. While neurotoxins effectively reduce wrinkles, they can lead to adverse effects like ptosis (drooping eyes or low brows) due to their spread beyond the intended treatment area. These adverse events, although temporary, can significantly affect a patient’s quality of life. Currently, there is no available commercial antidote for neurotoxins.
In a proof-of-concept study led by Steve Yoelin, MD, a board-certified ophthalmologist, volunteer subjects who had undergone neurotoxin treatment for wrinkle reduction were treated with ReViVox. Using a validated photo-numeric scale, the study showed that individuals treated with ReViVox experienced muscle recovery as soon as five minutes after treatment. This marked the first instance of reversing neurotoxin-induced muscle weakness through a localized muscle injection.
These findings underscore ReViVox’s potential as a candidate for neurotoxin rescue. Yoelin, known for his expertise in neuromodulators, dermal fillers, and medical aesthetic products, presented the study’s outcomes at the 17th Annual Botulinum Research Symposium on July 21. The successful demonstration in a clinically relevant setting is a significant achievement, experts say.
Although generating more than $5 billion globally for aesthetic and medical purposes, botulinum neurotoxins currently lack a solution to counteract their potential side effects. DelNova’s patented drug candidate, ReViVox, intends to address this gap.
