Medytox said Tuesday that its botulinum toxin preparation, Meditoxin, has received the indication for cervical dystonia treatment from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.

The latest approval increased Meditoxin’s indications to six -- cervical dystonia, post-stroke upper extremity muscle stiffness, cerebral palsy equinus, eyelid twitching, forehead wrinkle, and eye rim wrinkle. Meditoxin currently has the most indications in Korea.

These are various versions of Meditoxin products with differing doses and indications. (Source: Medytox)

Cervical dystonia, generally called sclerosis, causes the stiffening of neck muscles regardless of the patient's will and to shift the center of the neck to other directions or position due to uncontrollable contraction and strain. The illness causes both physical restrictions and psychological atrophy in daily life.

Meditoxin blocks the secretion of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that contracts the muscle to prevents excessive muscle contraction, and alleviate cervical dystonia symptoms.

Patients with cervical dystonia can receive medical care benefits if they inject Meditoxin at least every 12 weeks with the new indication.

"We have localized the cervical dystonia treatment by winning another indication for Meditoxin, putting a close to dependency on foreign medicines," Medytox said in a press release. "This is meaningful because we can provide opportunities to treat cervical dystonia patients and help improve their livings."

Medytox plans to expand indications for three self-developed botulinum toxin preparations to widen usage in the aesthetic and therapeutic fields. Currently, Medytox's treatment for idiopathic overactive bladder, benign masseter hypertrophy, and hidroschesis are in phase 3 clinical trials and chronic migraine, in phase 2 tests.

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