The future of BTX-A
- Published: 8/09/2009 at 12:00 AM
- Newspaper section: Outlook
Hyun Ho Jung, president of Medy-Tox, a South Korean supplier of botulinum toxin type A, said that at present, BTX-A is almost as commonly used to treat muscle disorders as it is for cosmetic purposes. It is more and more popular in today's neuromuscular treatment, such as cerebral palsy, migraine and spasm, causing the demand to spike both domestically and internationally. The competition among botulinum toxin brands from many countries is strong. The result of the competitiveness is a decrease in pricing, which is another reason why it is more popular these days than before.
Hyun Ho Jung.
In the past, South Korea spent $40 million a year importing BTX-A. Now that it develops its own supply locally, the country not only saves a lot of money but is also expanding its market globally.
The South Korean government is taking medical advancement seriously. The company itself also invests a lot in research in order to expand the indication of its products. Dermatologists and neurologists around the world will greatly benefit from advancements in this field, according to Jung.
Soon to be released is the "next generation" of botulinum toxin, which is going to hit the market tentatively in 2014. "The existing formula comes from the fermentation of animal media and it has potential to be contaminated. The advanced botulinum toxin will eliminate the animal-based products to make sure it is free from contamination. Also, the substance remains stable for a longer time and can be kept at room temperature while the current botulinum toxin must be stored at a temperature of between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius," explained Mr Jung.
Other story in this series: FIGHTING MIGRAINES HEAD-ON
