DAXI for Blepharospasm in Adults
Official title: BLEXI: A Study of BLEpharospasm Management With daXIbotulinumtoxinA
Run by University of Pennsylvania · NCT07489430 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests DaxibotulinumtoxinA (DAXI) to see how long it lasts and how safe it is for adults with blepharospasm who are already getting botulinum toxin injections.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Pennsylvania Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | September 24, 2026 |
| Main results expected | June 30, 2028 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | September 29, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07489430 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults 18 years and older with clinically diagnosed blepharospasm, either isolated or associated with parkinsonism, currently treated with onabotulinumtoxinA or incobotulinumtoxinA and with less than 12 weeks of benefit.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients whose blepharospasm does not respond to DAXI or who experience adverse effects may not benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is a single-center, open-label, single-arm study evaluating DAXI in twenty adults with blepharospasm over about 12 months. Participants may receive two to three treatment cycles, spaced 3 to 6 months apart, with injections guided by the duration of benefit and a Blepharospasm Severity Rating tracking tool. The trial allows standard pain-reduction measures during injections and focuses on real-world safety, duration of effect, and overall benefit. Eligibility includes adults with clinically diagnosed blepharospasm who currently respond to onabotulinumtoxinA or incobotulinumtoxinA but whose benefit lasts less than 12 weeks. The study is led by the University of Pennsylvania with Revance Therapeutics as a collaborator, at the Parkinson Disease and Movement Disorders Center in Philadelphia.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience longer-lasting relief from blepharospasm symptoms after DAXI injections.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies with similar botulinum toxin approaches have shown benefit; this study addresses real-world duration and safety of DAXI.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults (18 years of age, or older) * Clinical diagnosis of Blepharospasm that is disruptive enough to warrant ongoing clinical botulinum toxin injections and scoring ≥2 on the BSRS during screening. Blepharospasm may be focal (i.e. Benign essential blepharospasm), associated with non-drug-induced secondary cause (e.g., typical or atypical parkinsonism) or as part of a diagnosis of segmental or generalized dystonia involving the upper cranial region, if blepharospasm is the only indication requiring botulinum toxin injections. * Currently receiving onabotulinumtoxinA or incobotulinumtoxinA for the treatment of blepharospasm with: 1) documented duration of benefit \<12 weeks from most recent injection; and 2) no further dose escalation possible or advised due to side effect risk (e.g., ptosis, diplopia, etc.), as determined by treating neurologist; and 3) ability to provide informed consent and comply with study procedures, or subject has a reliable caregiver/proxy. * Written informed consent including authorization to release health information. Exclusion Criteria: * Tardive or medication-induced blepharospasm, as well as psychogenic/functional blepharospasm. * Active ocular pathology interfering with evaluation or injection safety. * Neuromuscular junction or motor neuron disorders (e.g., myasthenia gravis, Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, etc.). * Known hypersensitivity to botulinum toxin or formulation components. * Pregnant or breastfeeding women (including those who are found to be pregnant after a positive pregnancy test at Screening), women who are hoping to get pregnant over the upcoming 15 months, or women of childbearing potential who are unwilling to use contraception while enrolled in the BLEXI study. * Any signal suggestive of active suicidality, as per C-SSRS at screening. * Subjects who have undergone Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery for the management of blepharospasm and are not willing to keep the DBS settings unchanged for the duration of the trial. * History of primary or secondary non-response to BoNT-A injections, particularly those known to have neutralizing antibodies to BoNT-A. * Subjects on oral medications for dystonia (e.g., anticholinergics, muscle relaxants, benzodiazepines, dopamine depleter) who have not been stable on their regimen for at least 4 weeks prior to Screening, or who are not willing to keep them stable for the duration of the trial. * Use of aminoglycoside antibiotics, polymyxins, lincosamides (e.g., clindamycin), or other agents that might interfere with neuromuscular transmission (e.g., curare-like drugs, quinidine, magnesium sulfate, anticholinesterases, succinylcholine chloride) within 14 days prior to Screening. * History of severe (stage 3) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or unstable pulmonary disease within 30 days prior to Screening. * History of chronic or recurrent hypokalemia. * History of congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association Class III or IV), Torsade de Pointe (TdP), and/or Long QT Syndrome. * Subjects in an investigational drug or device study within the last 30 days prior to Screening. * Active skin infections at the injection sites which would put the subject at increased risk of morbidity with BoNT injections * History of blood coagulation disorder that makes facial injection an absolute contraindication * Any acute illnesses or medical conditions including cognitive impairment (e.g., dementia), significant psychiatric illnesses (e.g., major depressive or bipolar disorder) or symptoms (e.g., suicidal ideation, psychosis) that are not stable, and in the Investigator's opinion, could put the subject at increased risk of morbidity, confound the study results, or interfere significantly with the subject's participation in the study.
Where it's running
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Parkinson Disease and Movement Disorders Center at the University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.