March | April 2009

Johnson & Johnson Acquires Mentor Corporation
Johnson & Johnson is expanding its entree into the medical aesthetics market with the recent acquisition of Mentor Corporation, makers of breast implants and Prevelle and Puragen dermal fillers. The acquisition was completed in January 2009. “Mentor will become the cornerstone of a broader Johnson & Johnson strategy for aesthetic medicine—serving both consumers and medical professionals,” said Gary Pruden, Johnson & Johnson company group chairman. “We will use our combined strengths and experience to build a market-leading aesthetic business that capitalizes on Johnson & Johnson’s broad-based commercial capabilities, worldwide surgical care footprint and clinical scientific capabilities.”

Thermage Rolls Out New Name
Following its acquisition of Reliant Technologies, Thermage is reintroducing itself. The company has changed its corporate name to Solta Medical and is trading under the symbol SITM. “The new company combines the industry’s two leading brands, Thermage and Fraxel, under a new corporate name that will now form a global leader in aesthetic energy devices,” said Stephen J. Fanning, chairman of the board and president/CEO. Solta Medical has also announced the expansion of its industry-exclusive customer loyalty program, which allows physicians to lock in preferred pricing for Thermage and Fraxel treatment tips. For more information visit solta.com.

Syneron Goes East
Syneron has signed a joint agreement with the EverCare Medical Group, China’s largest aesthetic hospital chain, to establish Syneron China. Through its new subsidiary, Syneron will sell directly to medical and aesthetic professionals in China, including doctors, hospitals, medspas and cosmetic chains. The company will also provide training and support. “Syneron’s partnership with EverCare Medical Group positions the company to gain greater penetration of the Chinese medical aesthetic sector,” said Syneron CEO Doron Gerstel. “Syneron’s new direct operation in China, with a strong local management team, will ensure success in securing a dominant market share and standardizing Syneron’s high-quality customer care.” Syneron China opened two offices—Beijing and Guangzhou—in August 2008 and a Shanghai office in December 2008. Two more locations are slated to open in summer 2009.

Economy Woes Slow Expansion
Palomar Medical Technologies terminated its international distribution agreement with Q-MED AB, citing the recent economic downturn. Palomar entered into a distribution agreement with the Swedish biotech/medical device company in January 2008 with the intention that Q-MED would eventually be responsible for marketing, advertising, promotions, sales and distribution of Palomar’s professional aesthetic products outside of North America. “Although we are choosing to end our distribution agreement, this was a good learning experience, and we have forged a positive relationship with Q-Med that may be beneficial in the future,” said CEO Joseph P. Caruso. “We believe that during these challenging times we will be better positioned with full control of our international distribution.”

Combination Acne Therapy Drug Approved
Galderma Laboratories EpiDuo Gel, which combines a retinoid and benzoyl peroxide for the treatment of acne, has received U. S. Food and Drug Administration approval. The once-daily topical acne treatment combines retinoid adapalene and benzoyl peroxide. In a 517 patient study published last year in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, EpiDuo Gel reduced the median number of total acne lesions by more than 50% at the end of the 12-week study. “By targeting three of the four causes of acne in a single medication, EpiDuo Gel offers doctors and patients an efficacious, easy-to-use tool to tackle mild to moderate acne,” said Linda Stein Gold, MD, director of clinical research and division head of dermatology at Henry Ford Hospital.

ASJ Accepted for Indexing
The Aesthetic Surgery Journal, the official peer-reviewed publication of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), has been accepted for indexing by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) in MEDLINE/PubMed (pubmed.gov). MEDLINE is the NLM’s premiere bibliographic database containing references to journal articles from 1950 to the present in life sciences with a concentration on biomedicine. PubMed is a searchable database that includes more than 18 million citations and abstracts from MEDLINE and other life science journals. “Only a small percentage of journals that apply for indexing each year are approved by the NLM, and most are research journals,” says Foad Nahai, MD, ASJ editor in chief. “This achievement reflects worldwide recognition of the clinical and scientific importance of aesthetic plastic surgery as well as the quality of the journal’s content.”

Murad Celebrates 20 Years of Innovation
Murad Inc. is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2009. Founded by Dr. Howard Murad in 1989, the company, which now boasts 88 consumer products and 45 professional products, has grown to become one of the country’s best-selling clinical skincare brands. Throughout its 20 years in the industry Murad has introduced the public to ingredients including glycolic acid, pomegranate, goji berries and durian fruit. “It’s extremely gratifying that beyond my medical practice here in Los Angeles, the Murad line of products has enabled us to help people all around the world to become healthier and happier through solutions to common skincare problems,” says Dr. Murad. “It has been a personal mission of mine to educate the consumer regarding inclusive, healthy living, while providing science-based, clinically proven formulas. I look forward to further rewarding achievements in the field as we continue to develop and introduce new concepts in the future.”

Web-Based Education
Staying up to date on the latest equipment and techniques is easier than ever thanks to webinars that allow you to learn from the comfort of your own home or office. Various companies, including Alma Lasers and Sciton, will be hosting a variety of webinars for medical professionals throughout 2009 on topics covering everything from marketing and business management to noninvasive technologies and protocols. Upcoming topics from Alma Lasers include “Clinical Pearls for The End User: Steps to turn over more patients and maximize financial potential while maintaining customer satisfaction” by Karen Harkaway, MD. Jody Levine, MD, will offer “Integrating Non-Invasive Skin Tightening Into an Aesthetic Practice” on behalf of Sciton with additional events scheduled each month. For more information on upcoming webinars, visit sciton.com and almalasers.com or check your vendors’ websites.

PRIORI Names New VP
Randy Kriech is the new vice president of sales and marketing at PRIORI Skincare USA. Kriech brings more than 14 years of skincare experience to the company. The former vice president of global sales, marketing and development for Percos India and regional sales director of SkinMedica has a track record of growing brands in the spa and medispa markets.

Laser Safety Officer Recognized for Achievement
Ken Barat, certified laser safety officer for the National Ignition Facility at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, has been awarded the 2009 R. James Rockwell, Jr. Educational Achievement Award for exceptional accomplishments in laser safety education. Barat is an author and contributing author of textbooks including Laser Safety Management, Medical Applications of Lasers and LIA’s Laser Safety Guide (10th edition), and a member of the ANSI Z136 Standards Committee. The R. James Rockwell, Jr. Educational Achievement Award is supported on a biennial basis by LightRay Consulting.

Events

May 20-24
10th International Congress of Dermatology, Prague Congress Centre, Prague, Czech Republic. Contact: Guarant International, icd2009@icd2009.com, icd2009.com

June 13-15
International Esthetics, Cosmetics & Spa Conference, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas. Contact: 800.496.9861, iecsc.com

June 13-20
Biennial Plastic Surgery Cruise/Aesthetic Surgery on the Mediterranean
Venue TBA
ASPS, 847.228.9900, www.plasticsurgery.org

June 22-23
17th Annual National Coalition of Estheticians, Manufacturers, Distributors & Associations Meeting (NCEA)
The Marriott, Albuquerque, NM
Contact: Suzanne Warfield, 201.670.4100, www.ncea.tv

July 29-August 2
American Academy of Dermatology Summer Meeting, Boston, Massachusetts, Venue TBA.
Contact: 866.503.7546, aad.org

September 10-12
17th Annual World Congress on Anti-Aging Medicine, San Jose Convention Center, San Jose, California. Contact: 888.997.0112, wwww.worldhealth.net

September 12-15
International Congress of Esthetics and Spa, Long Beach Convention Center, Long Beach, California. Contact: www.lneonline.com

September 15-16
Medical Aesthetics Conference & Expo, Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York City. Contact: 888.267.3793, www.medaestheticsconferenceny.com

October 1-4
American Society for Dermatologic Surgery and American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology & Aesthetic Surgery Joint Annual Meeting, JW Marriot Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, Phoenix. Contact: 847.956.0900, www.asds.net

October 5-8
2009 ISPA Conference & Expo, Austin Convention Center, Austin, Texas. Contact: 888.651.4772,
www.asds.net

October 15-17
European Congress on Anti-Aging & Aesthetic Medicine (ECAAAM), The Congress Centre Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany. Contact: Matt Thompson, mthompson@tarsus.co.uk, http://germany.anti-agingevents.com

October 23-28
35th Annual Convention of the American Society of Plastic Surgical Nurses, Grand Hyatt Seattle, Seattle. Contact: 800.272.0136, aspsn.org

October 23-28
Plastic Surgery 2009, Washington State Convention Center, Seattle. Contact: ASPS, 847.228.9900, plasticsurgery.org

December 9-12
17th Annual World Congress on Anti-Aging Medicine, Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas. Contact: 888.997.0112, worldhealth.net