Syneron Finance is offering no payments, no interest on all Syneron equipment until January1, 2008. In January 2008, the customer will have a one-time option to pay off the agreement for the original sales price plus taxes due. If the customer does not pay off in January 2008, they will pay 36 monthly payments at a rate factor of .03321. This plan is only available until September 22, so if you are interested, contact 866.259.6661 or visit syneron.com/nopay/index.html.

New Appointments at Radiancy
Radiancy, a manufacturer of light-based skin therapies, has announced the appointment of Dolev Rafaeli, MD, (left) as the new president and CEO of the company. Formerly president of USR group and general manager of Orbotech, Dr. Rafaeli holds a PhD from Century University in New Mexico and a Master’s degree from the Technion in Haifa, Israel.

“With Dr. Rafaeli’s deep knowledge and considerable experience, we are certain he will make a significant contribution to the future of the company,” says Yoav Ben Dror, MD, chairman of the board of Radiancy.

Radiancy also appointed a new vice president of operations, Eli Weissman, who has a strong, 17-year background in operations management. “It’s an exciting time to be joining the Radiancy management team,” says Weissman. “We are very pleased to have Mr. Weissman on board,” says Dr. Rafaeli. “Mr. Weissman has the experience and necessary skills to meet challenges and we are certain that he will be a great asset to the organization.”

Medicis Narrows Scope of Reloxin Distribution
Ipsen and Medicis announced that the companies would distribute Reloxin, Ipsen’s botulinum toxin product, only in the United States, Canada and Japan. Scottsdale, Arizona-based Medicis said it was unable to come up with a distribution plan because of European price constraints and reimbursement policies. As a result, Medicis agreed to pay Paris-based Ipsen $35 million. This is in addition to the upfront payment of $90.1 million Medicis made to Ipsen in March in order to market the injectable, and the $75 million it will pay the company upon the product’s U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval, expected in 2007.

Currently approved for aesthetic indications in 18 countries, on June 28 Reloxin was granted marketing authorization in Germany, the first country in Western Europe. Ipsen plans to continue to market and sell the filler in Europe on its own.

New Positions at Medicis
Jason Hanson has joined Medicis as executive vice president and general counsel, assuming responsibility for all legal matters and providing guidance on legal, compliance and operational issues. Hanson formerly practiced with the law firm of Arnold & Porter in Washington, DC, and was a prosecutor with the National Criminal Enforcement Section of the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Additionally, Joseph P. Cooper has been named executive vice president, corporate and product development. Cooper served as executive vice president, corporate development, since January 2001.

DUSA Board of Directors Appointment
Makers of Levulan PDT DUSA Pharmaceuticals announced that Robert F. Doman, president and COO of DUSA, was elected to its board of directors. Doman has over 25 years of industry-related experience, including general management, acquisitions and licensing, and strategic planning.

“Bob has demonstrated the expertise necessary to lead DUSA’s day-to-day operations and provide strategic thinking and guidance to the entire management team,” says Geoff Shulman, chairman and CEO.
 
 
 
 

Performance Health Acquisition
The Hygenic Corporation, a manufacturer and marketer of healthcare products, stated that it has acquired Performance Health, the developer and marketer of the Biofreeze brand of topical analgesics and Prossage brand of warming massage ointment.

“We are excited to bring together two of the most trusted and effective products in the healthcare profession,” says Steward Lorenzen, CEO of Hygenic. The acquisition unites two highly respected brands, Thera-Band and Biofreeze.


Spa Finder Presents Visionary Award
Stephen M. Krant, MD, FACS, and his wife Lyn Tisdale Krant, co-founders of the SK Sanctuary medical day spa and nonprofit SK Institute in La Jolla, California, were the fourth recipients of Spa Finder’s Visionary Award. The Krants were honored for their efforts to raise awareness of melanoma and for providing education and support for survivors or those diagnosed with breast, prostate, testicular and skin cancers. In 2004, the couple launched a melanoma awareness campaign, enlisting the support of surfers, skateboarders, the San Diego Chargers and Padres, and other outdoor sports figures to promote the importance of sun protection from an early age.

Previous recipients of the Visionary Award include JUVA Medi-Spa founder and MedEsthetics Advisory Board Member Bruce Katz, MD; Deepak Chopra, MD; and Howard Murad, MD. Spa Finder is a spa marketing and media company and operates spa gift certificate and incentive programs.

Fight Against Melanoma
Skincare company Pevonia Botanica has joined forces with Luxury SpaFinder in the battle against melanoma by committing resources to the awareness and prevention of this potentially fatal cancer. The Melanoma Awareness Launch Program includes the integration of strategic print and online campaigns and key speaking engagements to raise public awareness and knowledge around the world. Additionally, Pevonia International has made a commitment to the Skin Cancer Foundation for a Pevonia Botanica Melanoma Research Grant, which will be awarded to studies for the prevention, detection and treatment of melanoma.

Dermacare and Cutera Alliancet
Dermacare Laser & Skin Care Clinics, a nationwide skincare franchiser, has formed a partnership with Cutera, provider of light-based laser systems. As a result, a new, customized plan to achieve more beautiful skin has been developed: the 3D Approach for Skin Rejuvenation. Using Cutera’s three different levels of enhancement—Tone, Texture and Tighten—the 3D Approach is one package that enables patients to improve their appearance by using a combination of any or all of the treatments.


Levulan PDT Patent Infringements
DUSA Pharmaceuticals recently announced that it has filed lawsuits against physicians in California, Florida and Ohio, due to allegations of infringements of DUSA-exclusive patents. Additionally, a patent infringement suit has been filed against a chemical supplier of aminolevulinic acid (ALA) in Arizona. The patents cover the use of compounds such as ALA with photodynamic therapy (PDT) to treat dermatological conditions.

These suits allege that physicians are using ALA obtained from sources other than DUSA to perform DUSA-patented treatments. The suit filed against the physician in Ohio further alleges that he is treating patients with ALA that is manufactured by Frontier Scientific, a chemical manufacturer that sells ALA that is not for human use.

“We are particularly concerned that ALA not intended for human use appears to be making its way into clinics for patient treatment,” says Robert F. Doman, DUSA’s president and COO. “We will continue our ongoing campaign to protect our valuable intellectual property, to protect our loyal customers from unfair competition and to protect patients by assuring that they are receiving genuine Levulan in their PDT treatment.”

In related news, DUSA and PhotoCure have settled patent disputes and have entered a licensing agreement under which DUSA grants PhotoCure a worldwide license to its patents relating to ALA esters. PhotoCure will pay royalties on sales of its Metvix and Hetvix ester products in addition to new products as long as DUSA holds patents.

Skin Rejuvenation Device To Be Distributed in Taiwan
Orangeburg, New York-based Radiancy formed an agreement with Max Exchange Corporation to distribute the Radiancy Facial Toning Device (FTD) to Taiwanese salons. The agreement between Radiancy and Max Exchange Corporation, a division of direct-selling cosmetics giant Kelti International Enterprise Group, calls for a minimum first-year commitment of over $2 million and will supply Radiancy FTDs to be distributed to their 3,000-plus salons. Additionally, the agreement calls for the joint development of a new light-based cosmetic product, which is due out later this year and will be retailed throughout China by the Max Exchange Corporation.

Recruitment Team Assembled to Help with Medspa Hiring
MedSurge Advances, provider of aesthetic medicine products and services to physicians, has assembled a team of recruiters with years of experience in hiring salespeople, estheticians and other medspa staff to guide doctors through the process of hiring and retaining personnel for their medical spas.

“High employee turnover can be crippling to a new business. According to a recent Harvard University study, 80% of turnover is due to hiring mistakes,” says Paul Herchman, CEO of Dallas-based MedSurge Advances. “Hiring the best staff can dramatically increase an aesthetic practice’s chance of success.”

The recruiters will help doctors to determine workforce needs and appropriate salaries; place employment opportunity ads; help review resumes; and assist in interviewing procedure, contacting references and confirming licensure.

Events

2006

September 8-10 California Society of Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery Meeting, Loews Coronado Bay Resort, San Diego, CA. Contact: Calderm, 800.815.6397; www.calderm.org.

September 16-18 The Intl. Congress of Esthetics, Long Beach Convention Center, Long Beach, CA. Contact: Elsa Herrera, 972.226.2309; www.lneonline.com.

September 17-18 Medical Spa Expo & Conference, Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York, NY. Contact: Eileen Baird, 203.840.4800; www.medispaexpo.com.

September 28-Oct. 1 15th Intl. Symposium on Cosmetic & Laser Surgery, Venetian Resort Casino, Las Vegas, NV. Contact: Brandice Pittard, 850.531.8374; www.iscls.org.

September 30-October 1 Cosmetic Surgery Expo, Chicago Navy Pier, Chicago, IL. Contact: Ken Field, 248.561.4079; www.cosmeticsurgeryexpos.com.

October 6-11 ASPS/PSEF/ASMS Plastic Surgery Meeting, Moscone Center, San Francisco, CA. Contact: Patty Anderson, 847.228.9900; www.plasticsurgery.org.

October 7-9 Intl. Esthetics, Cosmetics & Spa Conference, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL. Contact: Jonnell K. Gailey, 800.624.3248, ext. 15; www.iecsc.com.

October 13-15 European Masters in Aesthetic & Anti-Aging Medicine, Palais des Congrès de Paris, Paris, France. Contact: Catherine DeCuyper, 33.15.683.7800; www.euromedicom.com.

October 26-29 Amer. Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) Meeting, Desert Springs JW Marriott Resort & Spa, Palm Desert, CA. Contact: E. Smith, 847.956.0900; www.asds.net.

November 3-5 4th Congress of the Amer. Academy of Aesthetic Medicine, Miami, FL. Contact: Peggy Shepard, 604.681.5226; www.aaamed.org.

November 11-13 Face & Body Expo and Medical Esthetic Conference, Moscone Center, San Francisco, CA. Contact: Maureen Ckuj, 630.653.2155, ext. 561; www.faceandbody.com.

December 2-3 Cosmetic Surgery Expo, John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center, Boston, MA. Contact: Ken Field, 248.561.4079; www.cosmeticsurgeryexpos.com.

December 7-12 Intl. Congress on Anti-Aging Medicine Winter Session, Paris Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV. Contact: A4M, 773.528.1000; www.worldhealth.net.

December 10-13 5th World Congress of the Intl. Academy of Cosmetic Dermatology, Melbourne Convention Centre, Melbourne, Australia. Contact: Congress Secretariat, 61.3.9682.0244; www. iacd2006.com.

2007

January 12-15 Orlando Dermatology & Aesthetic Conference, The Peabody Orlando, Orlando, FL. Contact: Heather Sote, 212.213.8784; www.orlandoderm.org.

January 25-28 The Amer. Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) 23rd Scientific Meeting, Manchester Grand Hyatt, San Diego, CA. Contact: Moira Murphy, 312.981.6762; www.cosmeticsurgery.org.

January 31-February 3 Assn. of Dermatology Administrators & Managers (ADA/M) Meeting, L’Enfant Plaza Hotel, Washington, DC. Contact: Dana DePonzi-Haas, 510.839.2326; www.ada-m.org.