Russian Botulinum Toxin Will be Used to Treat Chronic Migraine

Relatox, the development of SPA Microgen, will become the only Russian analogue of the botulinum toxin type A products among available on the market used to treat chronic headaches.

SPA Microgen (part of Naсimbio, Rostec State Corporation) has begun clinical studies to expand the indications for Relatox for the treatment of chronic migraine in age from 18 to 65 years. Completion of studies is scheduled for the end of 2020.

Relatox is the only botulinum toxin type A, produced on a full cycle principle in Russia from domestic raw materials. The drug, known primarily as a means of combating age-related changes, is widely used in neurological practice: for the treatment of blepharospasm, upper extremity muscle spasticity after stroke, hyperhidrosis and spastic forms of cerebral palsy. After completing the research and authorization, it will become the first available Russian analogue of the botulinum toxin products among available on the market used for severe and moderate headaches.

At the end of 2018, Relatox became the most popular drug in the sales structure of SPA Microgen: the sales volume of the product increased by 26 % compared with 2017. The drug is the winner of the National Prize “Priority-2018” in the “Pharma” category.

The mechanism of action of botulinum toxin type A in the treatment of chronic migraine is based on blocking neuromuscular transmission, which reduces head muscle tone and reduces irritation of nerve endings, as well as the ability of the drug to inhibit pain mediators (for example, substance P, glutamate, calcitonin gene-related peptide) and suppress neurogenic inflammation in the nervous system, which leads to the reduction and disappearance of pain.