Ipsen Highlights Rising Post-Stroke Spasticity Rates and Care Gaps at TOXINS 2026
Paris, Wednesday, 14 January 2026.
New data presented today reveals 45.7% of stroke survivors develop spasticity within one year, yet fewer than 1% receive targeted treatment, underscoring significant care gaps in neurology.
Addressing the Neurological Care Deficit
Biopharmaceutical company Ipsen (Euronext: IPN) commenced its participation at the TOXINS 2026 conference in Madrid, Spain today, January 14, 2026, by presenting a robust portfolio of 14 abstracts focused on neurological conditions [1][3]. The data, which will be showcased through January 17, 2026, highlights critical developments in the treatment of post-stroke spasticity (PSS), cervical dystonia, and blepharospasm [1][3]. Central to this presentation is the interim analysis from the EPITOME study, an ongoing multi-country epidemiological initiative following adults aged 18 to 85 after their first stroke [1]. The study aims to clarify the frequency of PSS and validate tools for early identification, a crucial step for a company that has teams operating in over 40 countries and focuses heavily on neuroscience alongside oncology and rare diseases [3][4].
EPITOME Study Reveals Alarming Spasticity Rates
The interim findings from the EPITOME trial provide a stark quantitative look at the prevalence of spasticity among stroke survivors. The data indicates that 45.7% of stroke survivors with paresis developed post-stroke spasticity within one year [1][3]. This figure represents a notable increase compared to previous data, which had estimated the rate at 39.5% [3]. Despite this high prevalence, the disparity in treatment remains significant; current routine practice data suggests that less than 1% of stroke survivors receive treatment with Botulinum Neurotoxin Type A (BoNT-A) for spasticity [1][3]. To address this detection gap, the EPITOME study utilizes the Post-stroke Spasticity Monitoring Questionnaire (PSMQ), a remote monitoring tool designed to assist clinicians in identifying early signs of the condition [1].
Strategic Pipeline and Market Context
Sandra Silvestri, MD, PhD, Ipsen’s Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, emphasized that the data underscores the company’s mission to address care gaps for people living with a broad range of neurological conditions [1]. This commitment is mirrored in the company’s developmental pipeline. As of June 2025, Ipsen had commenced a dose-escalation study of IPN10200, a long-acting botulinum neurotoxin type A currently in Phase I/II clinical development for adult upper limb spasticity and aesthetic indications [2]. This places Ipsen among more than 10 active pharmaceutical and biotech companies, including Saol Therapeutics and Revance Therapeutics Inc., that are advancing over 12 innovative therapeutic programs in the global spasticity sector [2].
Future Outlook and Upcoming Presentations
Looking ahead to the remainder of the conference, Ipsen has scheduled further disclosures regarding its research into toxin mechanics. On Friday, January 16, 2026, A. Robinson is set to deliver an oral presentation from 15:00 to 15:10 CET, discussing the utilization of a novel botulinum toxin to investigate intracellular trafficking [1][3]. These presentations serve to reinforce the clinical profile of Dysport® (abobotulinumtoxinA), which is already approved in approximately 90 countries and backed by over 30 years of clinical experience [3]. As the conference continues in Madrid through January 17, these updates offer a window into how the company plans to evolve the standard of care in a market where the vast majority of patients currently go untreated [1][3].