IncobotulinumtoxinA: A Highly Purified and Precisely Manufactured Botulinum Neurotoxin Type A

Aesthetic dermatologic applications of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT), including treatment of glabellar lines, horizontal forehead lines, and crow’s feet, were the most common non-surgical cosmetic procedures in the US in 2017, with high levels of subject satisfaction. Since the first BoNT type A (BoNT-A) formulation was approved in 1989, the number of formulations available on the world’s commercial markets has increased and new approvals are expected. BoNT is produced by Clostridium botulinum in nature as part of a large protein complex. However, the unnecessary clostridial proteins, which dissociate from BoNT under physiological conditions with a half-life of <1 minute, have no role in clinical applications. Data demonstrate that BoNT administration can elicit an immunological response, leading to production of neutralizing antibodies that can be associated with reduced efficacy or treatment non-response. As repeat treatments are required to maintain efficacy, clinicians should be aware of the possibility of antibody development and choose a BoNT with the lowest risk of immunogenicity. IncobotulinumtoxinA is manufactured using advanced technology to precisely isolate the pure BoNT without unnecessary clostridial proteins, and with low immunogenicity and high specific activity. In incobotulinumtoxinA clinical studies, no previously BoNT-naïve subjects developed neutralizing antibodies, and there was no secondary non-response to incobotulinumtoxinA treatment. Here we review the role of unnecessary clostridial proteins in BoNT-A and discuss the unique incobotulinumtoxinA manufacturing and purification process with a focus on the implications for use in aesthetic medicine. J Drugs Dermatol. 2019;18(1):52-57.