Could topical toxin finally be a reality?

There have been many claims by skincare products to be “botox in a bottle” but the reality is no topical product has yet been able to achieve the same results as botulinum toxin.

However,  that could all be about to change. Scientists in the US are carrying out studies to see whether a gel they have created, which contains the powerful toxin, can keep wrinkles at bay for comparable times to the injectable.

The problem in the past has been that botulinum toxin molecules are too large to easily cross the skin barrier. As such scientists have tried and failed for years to come up with an effective formula.

California firm Revance Therapeutics, a specialty biopharmaceutical company focused on the development, manufacturing and commercialisation of novel botulinum toxin products for multiple aesthetic and therapeutic indications has been working to change this and has recently announced plans to initiate a US Phase 3 pivotal study for the treatment of crow's feet lines using investigational drug product candidate RT001, a topical gel formulation of botulinum toxin type A.

It has also announced plans to commence a US Phase 2 study for topical RT001 for the treatment of hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating). 


Dan Browne, President and Chief Executive Officer for Reverance said, “We made the decision to move ahead with two important trials for topical RT001 in the United States. We are now preparing and conducting investigator trainings for both our Phase 3 crow's feet lines and Phase 2 hyperhidrosis studies. We currently expect to report interim data from the Phase 2 hyperhidrosis study before the end of this year and results from the Phase 3 crow's feet lines study in the first half of 2016."