Replies to post #106482 on Biotech Values

[anesthesia doc]

"Botox works by blocking nerve connections."

I believe Botox actually blocks the release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction. Therefore, the muscle does not contract. It does not effect "nerve connections". In other words, it stops the muscle from contracting but does not cause numbness like a local anesthetic would.

[biomaven0]

Error in the Bloomberg article:

Patients with chronic migraines who took Botox had 7.8 fewer days per month with any headaches, including migraines, compared with 6.4 fewer headache days on placebo, according to a company-funded study released last year.

In separate research, patients getting Botox injections had 9 fewer days of headaches per month, compared with 6.7 fewer with a placebo.

That's not the reduction per month at all, it's the cumulative reduction at 24 weeks (6 months).

So really this is quite a modest effect size - arguably statistically significant but not clinically significant. A couple of neurologists I've discussed this with were generally underwhelmed although they do believe it has some effect.

That said, the market is big and I expect them to now get insurance coverage - previously patients had to self-pay to try this treatment.

Peter