South Korea’s beauty and healthcare product maker Huons Global said on Friday its botulinum toxin (BTX) previously approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for exports has been approved for domestic sale under the marketing name of Liztox.

The product which has been exported under the brand name of Hutox marks the fourth home-grown BTX approved in Korea. The product is expected to be officially launched during the first half of this year after the health authority’s pre-launching quality inspection.

Huons Global said the BTX product demonstrated efficacy and safety in phase 1, 2, 3 clinical trials in Korean subjects, demonstrating its clinical usefulness in the improvement of moderate to severe glabellar wrinkles.

The product’s quality and reliability has been widely recognized through exports to South East Asia, the Middle East and Latin America since 2016, the company said.

Huons Global aims to further increase penetration into the domestic beauty and cosmetics market in addition to its leadership driven by hyaluronic acid filler injection and medical equipment sales.

The company is also driving sales activities overseas to expand its footing in the global BTX market estimated to be worth some 5 trillion won ($4.38 billion). Export contracts were already signed with partners in the U.S., Europe, Brazil Russia, China and Mexico.

The company’s second GMP-grade plant built to meet growing demand is in the final stage for commercial operations. The new plant is able to roll out 5 million vials, about five times the capacity of its first plant. Commercial product is due next year after KGMP approval.

By Kim Byung-ho and Minu Kim

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