FDA Approves Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) for Pediatric Patients with Upper Limb Spasticity

Allergan plc 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.

About Allergan plc

Allergan plc (NYSE: AGN), headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is a global pharmaceutical leader focused on developing, manufacturing and commercializing branded pharmaceutical, device, biologic, surgical and regenerative medicine products for patients around the world. Allergan markets a portfolio of leading brands and best-in-class products primarily focused on four key therapeutic areas including medical aesthetics, eye care, central nervous system and gastroenterology. As part of its approach to delivering innovation for better patient care, Allergan has built one of the broadest pharmaceutical and device research and development pipelines in the industry.

With colleagues and commercial operations located in approximately 100 countries, Allergan is committed to working with physicians, healthcare providers and patients to deliver innovative and meaningful treatments that help people around the world live longer, healthier lives every day.

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