(La Quinta, CA) Aesthetic Medical Institute (AMI), a privately held medical education company located in Southern California has announced today they are poised to offer several new aesthetic education programs, all qualifying for CME credits and National Certification upon completion. In addition to the one day and three day basic and advanced programs now being offered, the company is also planning to offer a one day program focused on the business and marketing aspect of the aesthetic practice as well as several interactive web based programs, all offering CME credits upon successful completion. [more]

SkinMedica, Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing, acquiring and commercializing products that treat dermatologic conditions and diseases and improve the appearance of skin, announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the company’s New Drug Application (NDA) for Desonate (desonide gel) 0.05% for treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis. Desonate is a low potency topical steroid formulated in a proprietary water-based Hydrogel vehicle developed and patented by Dow Pharmaceutical Sciences, Inc. The patented formula is free from alcohol, fragrance or surfactants which can be irritating or drying to the skin of atopic dermatitis patients. Desonate was developed in a collaborative effort between SkinMedica and Dow Pharmaceutical Sciences, Inc. and will be available to physicians in first quarter of 2007. [more]

DUSA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ GM:DUSA) today reported that Stiefel Laboratories, Inc., DUSA’s marketing partner for Latin America, has been informed by ANVISA, the Brazilian drug regulatory authorities, that the Levulan(R) Kerastick(R) has been approved in Brazil. With DUSA’s support, Stiefel Laboratories completed the regulatory filing with ANVISA during the second quarter of this year. [more]

FREEPORT, N.Y., October 10, 2006 — AGI Dermatics, a privately held biopharmaceutical company focused on skin cancer prevention drugs and anti-aging topical skincare products, today announced it has raised $5.5 million in a Series A private equity round. Trevi Health Ventures led the round, which included WHI Group and select private investors. In conjunction with the financing, Andrew Fink, Managing Director of Trevi, and Steven Kaye, an investor in Trevi, will join AGI’s Board of Directors. [more]

SAN FRANCISCO – While it might seem like “everybody’s having Botox,” in actuality, only 3 percent of the potential market is currently using injectables. The marketplace is poised for an explosion of growth in the cosmetic sector if companies position themselves and their products correctly and go “mainstream.” Allergan Medical (NYSE:AGN) President Robert Grant told an audience of more than 150 plastic surgery insiders – including financial analysts and industry representatives – Monday, that of 27 million potential people who might consider injectables, only 1 million are currently using injectables. Grant spoke at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Industry Forum on Monday, where leaders in the plastic surgery market discussed upcoming product launches, innovations and forecasts of the cosmetic procedures market sector. [more]

BRISBANE, Calif., October 5, 2006 — Cutera Inc., a leading provider of laser and other light-based aesthetic systems for practitioners worldwide, today announced the availability of LimeLight™, the first programmable wavelength three-in-one device for skin rejuvenation, pigmented lesions and facial vascular lesions (including telangiectasia). [more]

BURLINGTON, Mass., Sept. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: PMTI), a leading researcher and developer of light-based systems for cosmetic treatments, today announced that it will move forward to the next phase with The Gillette Company, part of The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE: PG), under the Development and License Agreement executed by Palomar and Gillette in February 2003. With this decision, the development of a new, patented, home use, light-based hair removal device for women moves into the next phase. [more]

Portrait® Plasma PSR3 Receives FDA Clearance for “Treatment of Non-facial Wrinkles” The only plasma skin regeneration technology for the simultaneous treatment of wrinkles, benign skin lesions and actinic damage of the whole body cleared by the FDA. [more]

WAYLAND, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Sept. 1, 2006–Candela Corporation (NASDAQ: CLZR) announced today that it has established a Scientific Advisory Board, and that the newly established Board will be chaired by Dr. Eric F. Bernstein. Dr. Bernstein has relinquished his role on the Company’s Board of Directors, effective August 28, 2006.
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