Galderma trialling new muscle relaxant

The muscle relaxant will serve as an alternative in territories where Galderma cannot distribute Azzalure or Dysport.

Galderma has completed its first clinical trial of a new muscle relaxant, meaning that the treatment is one step closer to making an appearance on the market.

The drug is a slight modification of the botulinum toxin formula, and president and chief executive Humberto C Antunes says the firm is looking forward to "rapidly advancing" the product.

It will serve as an alternative in regions where the pharmaceutical company does not have rights to distribute to Azzalure or Dysport, such as North America.

Ipsen's Dysport, which is used to lessen the appearance of frown lines, was only recently granted marketing authorisation as an aesthetics medicine by Health Canada.

Galderma will therefore be able to harness more of the global market potential, which Medical Insights valued at $1,211.8 million for 2013.

The organisation expects initial trials to be completed imminently, and will expedite the next step in the approval process to ensure the relaxant hits pharmacy shelves sooner.