The World’s First Fast-Acting Neurotoxin Just Got Approved in Europe

The neurotoxin world just got its first true “try before you commit” option. The European Commission has approved Boey (trenibotulinumtoxinE) from Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie company, making it the first and only rapid-onset, short-duration botulinum toxin serotype E approved in Europe. The decision applies across all 30 countries in the European Economic Area and follows Boey’s approval in Canada this past June.

If the name trenibotulinumtoxinE (TrenibotE) sounds familiar, it’s because we’ve been tracking this one for a while. Boey is the brand name Allergen Aesthetics is using in Europe, though it’s not yet clear what the product will be called if it’s approved in the US. Back in April, we covered the FDA’s Complete Response Letter on the US application, which flagged manufacturing issues rather than safety or efficacy concerns. So, while American patients are still waiting, Europe is now the first to get access.

What makes Boey different from the other neurotoxins on the market is speed. In clinical trials, results showed up in as little as eight hours after treatment, with peak effect around day seven. And rather than the three-to-four-month runway most of us are used to with traditional botulinum toxin type A, Boey’s effects taper off in just two to three weeks. It’s approved specifically for glabellar lines, those vertical furrows between the brows that show up at maximum frown, in adults for whom the lines carry real psychological weight.

Developed by the makers of Botox Cosmetic (sold as Vistabel or Vistabex in the EU), Boey isn’t meant to replace your go-to toxin so much as offer an on-ramp. Allergan Aesthetics research found that a large majority of people are open to learning about new treatments and want a way to preview results before signing up for something longer lasting, and that’s exactly the gap Boey is designed to fill.

“The EU approval of Boey marks an important step forward for our development program and builds on the momentum we’ve established with Health Canada’s approval earlier this year,” said Darin Messina, PhD, senior vice president of aesthetics research and development at AbbVie, in the company’s announcement.

Allergan Aesthetics says it’s now preparing to launch Boey across Europe, with education and training rolling out for providers. No word yet on US timing, but given how much buzz this toxin has generated since its earliest trial data, we’ll be watching closely. We’ll update this story as we learn more about a stateside approval.