Ed Schantz, 96; Helped Purify Toxin Used in Botox Injections

Ed Schantz, 96, a researcher who was a pioneer in purifying the toxin used in Botox injections, died April 27 in Madison, Wis., a family spokesman said.

In 1946, Schantz and colleagues purified botulinum toxin type A -- the poison that causes an often fatal form of muscle paralysis called botulism -- in a crystalline form, which allowed researchers to study it in greater detail, according to the Botox website of Allergan Inc., which acquired the rights to distribute the toxin in 1988.

In the 1960s, Schantz found that in small doses the botulinum toxin could stop the muscle spasms that cause certain illnesses. One of the first medical uses was to treat crossed eyes, which are caused by an overactive eye muscle.

Today, injections of the botulinum toxin, in the commercial form of Botox, are used to smooth out wrinkles.

A native of Hartford, Wis., Schantz earned a degree in biochemistry at Iowa State University and a master’s degree and PhD at the University of Wisconsin.

He began his career as an Army officer at Ft. Detrick, Md., during World War II, where he was the first to purify and grow “red tide” shellfish toxin, another deadly substance.