New dermal filler hits Europe
launching its Puragen dermal filler product in Europe, in a move
that aims to muscle in on the growing market for non-surgical
anti-ageing treatments such as Botox or collagen, reports Simon
Pitman.
Puragen is the new brand name for Mentor's non-animal-based, hyaluronic acid dermal filler, manufactured with the Company's patented double cross-linked technology. As a rival to other similar treatments, the firm is marketing the treatment on the basis that, unlike collagen injections, which is made from bovine protein, it is not made from animal products.
It has been estimated that approximately 3 per cent of the population is allergic to Bovine protein - with side affects including unsightly swelling and redness that often causes great embarrassment and discomfort to individuals undergoing the treatment.
"Puragen represents an important advancement for patients and gives a very smooth injection resulting in a uniform filling to the lips and lower face lines," commented Nicholas Lowe, M.D., a dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon with practices in London, and California.
"My European patients are pleased with the results of the product thus far, which appears to provide a long duration of wrinkle correction."
Puragen is a pure from of hyaluronic acid derived from bacterial fermentation, which is said to make it less likely to provoke an allergic reaction in individuals undergoing the treatment. The filler is stabilised through Mentor's DXL technology, which introduces two discrete double cross-linking reactions to provide improved product stability, which the company claims is relative to all other commercially available hyaluronic acid based dermal fillers on the market in Europe, Canada and the United States.
"Puragen represents an advanced option for the correction of wrinkles utilizing hyaluronic acid-based products," commented Joshua H. Levine, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mentor Corporation. "We are committed to delivering leading products for the field of facial aesthetics based on advancements in science and technology that add value for physicians and the patients they serve." Mentor is currently conducting a pivotal clinical study of Puragen in the United States, which the company anticipates will be completed before the end of calendar 2005.
Collagen injections were first introduced in the US in the 1970s, making way for a multi-million dollar industry. Following the massive success of Botox injections, more and more people are turning to hyaluronic acid derivatives.
Usually dermal filler treatments last six to nine months and cost between €200 and €1,000 depending on the type of filler used and the number of injections the treated area requires.
Although take up in the European market for dermal filler treatments is still relatively small as a whole, many industry observers believe that the early and fast adoption of the treatment in the UK market will soon lead to it becoming more widespread there.
In 2003 an estimated 2.9 million Botox injections alone were administered in the US, and demand for the treatment is still growing.
