FDA approves deep wrinkle filler
Inamed Corp. and Genzyme Corp. on Wednesday said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a larger-particle version of its injectable gel that can be used to temporarily fill the deepest facial wrinkles.
Called Hylaform Plus, the larger-particle version of hyaluronic acid-based wrinkle filler Hylaform was approved for treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds.
Genzyme manufactures the products, while Inamed markets them.
The companies said the new product gives physicians in the U.S. a new, effective, nonsurgical tool to treat the deepest wrinkles and provide optimal facial contouring.
Inamed said Hylaform Plus enhances its product line to compete with rival filler Restylane in the U.S. market. Restylane is a hyaluronic acid filler sold by Medicis Pharmaceutical Corp.
Last year Inamed posted sales of more than $87 million in its facial aesthetics business, but the company warned in August that sales would decrease in the mid to high teens this year due to competition.
In addition to its line of wrinkle smoothers, the Santa Barbara, California-based company makes breast and facial implants and a device used to treat obesity.
Shares of Inamed closed up 9 cents at $47.65 on Nasdaq, while shares of Genzyme closed down $1.35 at $51.07.
Revision date: July 3, 2011
Last revised: by Andrew G. Epstein, M.D.