Ipsen announced results of the first in-human study of a recombinant neurotoxin are being presented at the TOXINS International Conference in Copenhagen. Ipsen’s recombinant BoNT serotype E (rBoNT-E) was investigated in a phase I study that demonstrated its safety and tolerability profile in healthy volunteers1. The study also reported that it has a faster onset of action and a shorter duration of effect, as well as a quick time to peak activity, in comparison with established BoNT-A products. Further studies will be initiated to establish potential aesthetic and therapeutic uses of this investigational therapy. Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are naturally occurring proteins (produced by Clostridium bacteria) that were first discovered in the 19th century. They are classified into seven serotypes (A-G) with the majority of commercialized BoNT products being serotype A. BoNTs are used in multiple different conditions after injection in skeletal muscles (eg cervical dystonia, hemifascial spasm, blepharospasm, spasticity in adult and children; aesthetic); smooth muscles (neurogenic detrusor overactivity, idiopathic bladder overactivity) or exocrine gland hyperfunction (eg sialorrhea, axillary hyperhidrosis).