FDA Approves BOTOX (onabotulinumtoxinA) for Pediatric Patients with Upper Limb Spasticity
--BOTOX? is the First Neurotoxin Treatment Approved to Treat Pediatric Patients, 2 to 17 Years of Age, with Upper Limb Spasticity----Approval Marks 10th BOTOX? Therapeutic Indication in its 30th Anniversary Year--
DUBLIN,?June 21, 2019?/PRNewswire/ --?Allergan plc?(NYSE: AGN) today announced that the?U.S. Food and Drug Administration?(FDA) approved the company's supplemental biologics application (sBLA) for BOTOX??for the treatment of pediatric patients (2 to 17 years of age) with upper limb spasticity. BOTOX??was granted a six-month Priority Review by the?FDA, which is typically granted to therapies that if approved, could offer significant improvements in safety and effectiveness when compared to current standard of care. The?FDA?is also reviewing an additional sBLA for the use of BOTOX? to treat pediatric patients with lower limb spasticity, with a decision expected in the fourth quarter of this year.
Damage to the brain and spine can result in spasticity, which is often observed as muscle tightness and stiffness in the upper and lower limbs. Upper limb spasticity can interfere with movement at the joints of the upper limb?and its severity can range from mild to severe muscle stiffness.?Common causes of spasticity in children include cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, and stroke, which is a group of disorders affecting one's ability to move and maintain balance and posture.
"Watching a child suffering with any degree of upper limb spasticity is very difficult," said?David Nicholson,?Chief Research?and Development Officer,?Allergan. "This FDA approval is special to all of us at?Allergan?because we can now provide children and their caregivers an advancement in pediatric care with BOTOX?. This milestone underscores our constant focus on innovation and builds on our 30-years of research and development efforts with BOTOX??since?FDA?approval of blepharospasm and strabismus in 1989. We also look forward to the?FDA's?decision on pediatric lower limb spasticity and continuing to serve our patients globally."
The?FDA?approval is based on data from two Phase 3 studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of BOTOX??in over 200 pediatric patients with upper limb spasticity. These trials included a?12-week, double-blind study and a one-year open-label extension study.
The approved recommended dose per treatment session is 3 Units per kilogram to 6 Units per kilogram divided among affected muscles of the upper limb. The total dose in pediatric patients should not exceed 8 Units per kilogram body weight or 300 Units, whichever is lower, in a 3-month interval. Treatment with BOTOX??is not meant to replace existing physical therapy or other rehabilitation that may have been prescribed.
"Pediatric upper limb spasticity is a significant concern and can negatively impact a child's development and quality of life," said?Mark Gormley, Jr.?M.D., Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist, Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare-St. Paul. "Because spasticity is particularly debilitating to growing children, it requires ongoing care. BOTOX??has a well-established safety and efficacy profile and I believe it will be an important treatment option in helping successfully manage upper limb spasticity in children and adolescents."
Allergan?is committed to providing resources and services, such as the BOTOX??Savings Program, to help ensure BOTOX??is accessible and affordable to patients. Over the past 30 years, more than 100 million vials of BOTOX??and BOTOX??Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA) have been distributed worldwide. With more than 3,700 articles on BOTOX??and BOTOX??Cosmetic published in scientific and medical journals, BOTOX??neurotoxin is one of the most widely researched medicines in the world.
BOTOX??(onabotulinumtoxinA) Important?Information
Indications
BOTOX??is a?prescription?medicine?that?is?injected?into?muscles and?used:
- to treat increased muscle stiffness in children 2 to 17 years of age with upper limb spasticity
- to treat certain types of eye muscle problems (strabismus) or abnormal spasm of the eyelids (blepharospasm) in people 12 years and older
- Problems swallowing, speaking, or breathing,?due to weakening of associated muscles, can be severe and result in loss of life. You are at the highest risk if these problems are pre-existing before injection. Swallowing problems may last for several months.
- Spread of toxin effects.?The effect of botulinum toxin may affect areas away from the injection site and cause serious symptoms including: loss of strength and all-over muscle weakness, double vision, blurred vision and drooping eyelids, hoarseness or change or loss of voice, trouble saying words clearly, loss of bladder control, trouble breathing, and trouble swallowing.