New Injectables To Look Out For In 2021

Biopharmaceutical company AbbVie has established itself as one of the major players in aesthetic medicine. The American company made various power moves in 2020, notably acquiring Allergan, makers of BOTOX and the Juvederm brand, in May.

Here we look at what they’re up to now, including new injectables to look out for in 2021 and beyond.

Luminera dermal fillers

In October 2020 Allergan acquired the aesthetics division of Luminera. This area of the Israeli research and development company specialises in dermal fillers that are easy for injectors to work with and provide natural-looking, skin rejuvenating results.

Its innovative injectables portfolio includes:

• Crystalys – calcium hydroxyapatite-based dermal filler used to restore volume in the face and create natural-looking contours. Encourages natural collagen production
• HArmonyCa – described as “a composite matrix of cross-linked hyaluronic acid embedding calcium hydroxyapatite microspheres”
• Hydralix – cross-linked hyaluronic acid gel soft tissue dermal filler range used to lift and sculpt the face
• Hydryal – hydrating non-cross linked hyaluronic acid ‘skin booster’ intended to improve the skin’s elasticity and appearance to create a natural glow
• UtopyHA – a complex, technologically advanced dermal filler comprising three phases of hyaluronic acid for long-lasting results in all facial regions.

We expect to see a lot more of these products in 2021, given Allergan’s wider reach and ability to create exposure for the brand.

Harley Academy founder, Dr Tristan Mehta had this to say about the Luminera/Allergan news:

“Luminera will be a game changer for Allergan and the blockbuster product is HArmonyCa. It has the benefit of being susceptible to hyaluronidase – so, the safety profile of hyaluronic acid fillers – whilst having a bio-stimulatory effect on the skin, which is currently only possible with semi-permanent fillers.

We will need to learn new injection techniques and treatment plans to make full use of this, but it occupies an important gap in the current filler market.”

New injectables in development

According to their pipeline, AbbVie currently has two new injectables in development and is exploring two new uses for Botox.

These are:

• BoNTE for glabellar lines – a novel large molecule toxin, currently in Phase 2 of clinical trials in Europe and the USA
• NivobotulinumtoxinA for facial lines – this wrinkle-relaxing toxin is in Phase 3 of clinical trials
• BOTOX for platysma prominence – the popular neurotoxin is in Phase 2 trials for this usage
• BOTOX for masseter prominence – this clinical trial is now in its Phase 3 stage, the final stage before it is submitted for approval.

Although developing new aesthetic medicines through to a successful FDA approval is a long process, these appear to be in the mid-to-latter stages of their clinical trials. As such, we are hopeful that positive movement will be seen on at least some of these new toxins during 2021.

We will update you as to any new developments with these exciting new injectables as information becomes available, so do check back for updates.