For years, Botox has been the go-to for injectable treatments that combat against wrinkles, frown lines, and crow’s feet. After so many years of Botox leading the cosmetics world, a new option is coming from Silicon Valley biotech company Revance. This new drug, RT002, is also a neuromodulator similar to Botox, but has amazing results that last for six months. Most neuromodulators typically show clinical results for three to four months.
Most patients looking to receive treatments for wrinkles receive neuromodulators such as Botox, Dysport, or Xeomin; each of these works differently with various compositions of the same substance: bacterium Clostridum Botulinum, or Botulinum Toxin A. RT002 will work in a similar fashion to these other drugs, in that it will also target frown lines by blocking nerve impulses in the muscles around the area.
RT002 – the New Go-To for Anti-Wrinkles Injections?
Chemical composition is currently unknown for RT002, since information is just now being released. The current main injectable treatments all have subtle differences, so RT002 is expected to be the same. One difference between the treatments can be found in Xeomin, which is a naked neuromodulator with no additives. Other differences are the time it takes to see with results; Botox currently takes an average of up to five days to see results and last three to six months, while Dysport may take longer to see results, but lasts longer-up to a year.
The current price estimates are currently unknown since RT002 is not on the market, but if Revance wishes to be competitive with Botox and other neuromodulators, it will be more cost effective, especially with fewer treatments needed for those wanted results. Fewer treatments mean patients can get treatments of RT002 on the same schedule as other treatments that have a similar cycle of administration, such as fillers. Dr. Tina Alster, a dermatologic surgeon located in the Washington D.C. area, stated that more than half of her patients go in to receive multiple treatments at once. This is great news for people who travel often and have less time to make it in to their cosmetic surgeon.
Revance is currently planning on releasing RT002 to the public in 2020, according to their recent press release. It is currently only being tested for frown lines, but hopefully will be able to treat a wider range of options, similar to how Botox works. Regardless, it will be an exciting time for dermatology treatments with additional options to help combat those unwanted wrinkles.
