Xeomin botulinum toxin for cervical dystonia now available in the U.S.

Merz Pharmaceuticals today announced that Xeomin® (incobotulinumtoxinA), a new botulinum toxin type A for the treatment of adults with cervical dystonia (CD)or blepharospasm, is now commercially available in the U.S. XEOMIN was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on July 30, 2010.

XEOMIN is a botulinum toxin type A that is free from accessory proteins. It is FDA-approved for the treatment of adults with cervical dystonia, to decrease the severity of abnormal head position and neck pain in both botulinum toxin-naive and previously treated patients and blepharospasm in adults previously treated with Botox® (onabotulinumtoxinA).

"We are excited that XEOMIN is now available in the U.S.," said Jack Britts, President and CEO of Merz Pharmaceuticals, LLC. "XEOMIN is a new treatment option for patients with cervical dystonia or blepharospasm. Merz is committed to patients having access to the product by providing a variety of service offerings and financial assistance programs for patients. We are pleased with the initial response from healthcare professionals and patients and we believe XEOMIN will make a difference in the lives of CD and blepharospasm patients who receive the product. Our Medical and Sales representatives have begun activities supporting the product to healthcare professionals who regularly inject botulinum toxin for the treatment of cervical dystonia and blepharospasm."

As part of its commitment to the professional and patient communities, Merz will offer a comprehensive product support system that allows a single point of contact for assistance with ordering, product information, reimbursement questions and patient support. Merz will also offer a drug co-pay assistance program for eligible patients, designed to provide direct assistance to patients for their out-of-pocket costs.

"Over the years, botulinum toxin has become an important treatment for cervical dystonia and blepharospasm," said Stephen Gollomp, M.D., Clinical Professor of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Penn., and an investigator for XEOMIN. "With the availability of XEOMIN in the U.S., physicians and patients now have a new therapeutic option for the treatment of these conditions."