US Cosmeceuticals Market
December 2, 2008
US demand to increase 7.2% annually through 2012
Demand for cosmeceutical products is expected to increase 7.2 percent per year to $9.4 billion in 2012, propelled by a stream of new and technologically advanced product introductions offering age-defying and other appearance enhancing benefits for an aging population. The rapid growth of the cosmeceutical market will continue to be based on a combination of science and astute marketing, with evidence regarding product claims far from conclusive in many instances. Read more
J & J to Buy Mentor
December 1, 2008
Johnson & Johnson said Monday it would buy Mentor, a maker of cosmetic products and breast implants, for $1.07 billion, a move that would help the drug maker become a major player in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery.
Analysts said Johnson & Johnson was paying “a giant premium” for Mentor, which makes MemoryGel breast implants, liposuction equipment and skin repair products.
Under the deal, Johnson & Johnson will start a cash tender offer for $31 a share — nearly double Mentor’s Friday closing price of $16.15. The drug company will also assume Mentor’s debt, about $50 million, and make the company a stand-alone unit in its Ethicon business, a top provider of sutures, mesh and other surgical products. Mentor, based in Santa Barbara, Calif., has about 1,300 employees and had $373 million in 2007 sales.
Mentor shares jumped $14.43 on Monday, or 89 percent, to $30.58 in afternoon trading; J.& J. shares, weighed down by a big decline in the broader market, fell $3.25, or 5.5 percent, to $55.33.
“It’s a good space for J.& J. to get bigger in because it’s a space with the least cost-control pricing pressures,” as patients, rather than insurers or government health programs, generally pay for cosmetic surgery, said Erik Gordon, associate dean and head of biomedical industry programs at Stevens Institute of Technology.
Johnson & Johnson this summer introduced a collagen-based skin filler called Evolence. Some products made by Ethicon are being used in plastic surgery, including sutures, mesh implants for facelifts, and harmonic scalpels, said Bill Price, a spokesman for the company.
The deal is expected to reduce Johnson & Johnson’s 2009 earnings by 3 to 5 cents a share and is scheduled to close during the first quarter. Mentor’s chief executive, Joshua H. Levine, will stay on as a member of Ethicon’s global management board, Mr. Price said. Significant layoffs are not expected.
Mentor’s main competitor in the breast implant market is Allergan, the maker of Botox. Mentor is developing its own anti-wrinkle injection and dermal fillers to compete.
On Nov. 24, Johnson & Johnson bought Omrix Biopharmaceuticals, a biotech company, for $438 million. The deal is expected to close this month.
Mr. Gordon said he expected more acquisitions — by J.& J. and by pharmaceutical companies that have too weak a pipeline to support their overhead and need to either acquire products or merge with another large company and slash costs.
Over all, portions of the health care sector with cash-heavy balance sheets, like big drug makers, have been more open to acquisitions during the current recession.
source: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/02/business/02drug.html?ref=health
New Fraxel Web site Meets Growing Consumer Demand for Information on the Web
November 26, 2008
Reliant Technologies recently launched their new Fraxel.com Web site, www.fraxel.com.
The new site enhances the online experience for consumers and physicians, providing them with a range of interactive content on the Fraxel family of products. We thought this site would be a great resource for your readers looking for additional information on the Fraxel laser treatment and a physician in their local area. Read more
Non-Surgical Facelifts Increase in Popularity
November 25, 2008
Young woman receiving injection on lip, eyes closed, close-up
Hate your wrinkles but don’t want surgery? Some are getting what’s being called a non surgical facelift.
Dr. Bruce has the story. Like many people, Ingrid Kern doesn’t like what she’s been seeing in the mirror recently. “I dont look like 30 anymore i want to look fresher,” Kern said. Read more
Botox Treats More Than Wrinkles
November 20, 2008
Everyone knows about Botox, the wrinkle-reducer that’s injected into the face to retain a youthful look. It turns out that the procedure now has a number of new uses. Botox can also reduce excessive sweating and relax facial muscles. Read more
Painless Botox(r) Type Cream Patent Approved
November 20, 2008
KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa., Nov. 12, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Emergent Health Corp. (Pink Sheets:EMGE) announces the patent under which it has a license to market a painless Botox(r) type cream not requiring an injection has been allowed by the US Patent and Trademark office. Now that this patent has been allowed, Emergent will seek joint venture opportunities with firms capable of assisting entry into this estimated $6 Billion dollar cosmetic market.
While Botox(r) Cosmetic as a registered trademark of Allergan and Restylane(r) Dermal Filler as a registered trademark of Medicis are the dominant leaders in pharmaceutical cosmetic delivery, Emergent believes there is a viable and sizeable niche for its Painless BO(tm) Cream with the appropriate partners. Emergent plans to aggressively pursue this opportunity. Emergent believes there is a possibility Painless BO(tm) Cream could not only make penetration into the large currently available markets but also open totally new markets for those who still fear needles and the high costs of Physician visits so associated. Read more
FDA Wants Stronger Warning for Dermal Fillers
November 20, 2008
Product labels on popular cosmetic wrinkle fillers should be strengthened to warn consumers about scarring and other problems that can crop up weeks or years after receiving the treatments, a Food and Drug Administration panel said November 18, 2008.
The panel said current product labels on fillers approved to plump certain facial lines are inadequate and only discuss immediate and temporary side effects, such as swelling. While an FDA review of reported adverse events associated with dermal fillers showed many expected side effects like temporary swelling and redness, the agency said “there are a number of adverse events that are serious and unexpected.” Read more
LED light shown to reduce face wrinkles
November 10, 2008
Researchers in Germany say that LED light applied to the face can be a potential alternative to Botox or cosmetic surgery.
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| Before/after application |
High-intensity visible light from LEDs, applied daily for several weeks to facial wrinkles, resulted in “rejuvenated skin, reduced wrinkle levels, juvenile complexion and lasting resilience,” according to researchers at the University of Ulm, Germany. Their research appeared in the November 5th issue of the American Chemical Society’s Crystal Growth & Design magazine. Read more
Dentist’s team built for body makeovers
November 5, 2008
Imagine having a 12-person staff dedicated to your every physical need, whether it is whiter teeth, a toned body or a complete wardrobe makeover.
That is exactly what the Body Inc. team is doing for Metro Detroiters who are looking to make long-term changes in their appearance — and want the help of some of the area’s top experts in hair, makeup, body, clothing and accessories.
Founded by Clawson-based cosmetic dentist Alan R. Grodin, Body Inc. is a conglomeration of 12 area professionals with experience in plastic surgery, vision enhancement, laser medical services, anti-aging treatments, physical therapy, pain management, fitness, fashion, hair and make-up, spa services and jewelry. Read more
Aesthetic Practice Startup Workshop Ensures Adding Aesthetic Medicine is a Profitable Option
November 5, 2008
The IAPAM (International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine) has developed a groundbreaking new workshop for physicians making an entry into the Aesthetic Medicine arena. The Aesthetic Practice Startup Workshop provides participants with all the tools needed, including a customized business plan and complementary CD and print materials, to support the profitable addition of aesthetic medicine into their medical practice. Read more
IAPAM Aesthetic Medicine Resources
