ABBV-950

ABBV-950 is an investigational recombinant botulinum neurotoxin being developed by AbbVie for the treatment of upper limb spasticity, particularly in patients who have suffered a stroke. As a recombinant protein, it is engineered to mimic the action of naturally occurring botulinum toxins but produced through biotechnological methods. The drug functions as a protease that specifically targets and cleaves the synaptosomal-associated protein 25 (SNAP-25) within the SNARE complex of peripheral cholinergic neurons. This cleavage prevents the fusion of synaptic vesicles with the presynaptic membrane, thereby inhibiting the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction. The resulting localized muscle relaxation helps alleviate the symptoms of spasticity. ABBV-950 is currently in Phase 1 clinical development, where it is being compared to onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) for safety and efficacy.