December 16th 2024

Editor’s Choice: 2024 in Medical Aesthetics

The medical aesthetics industry has experienced remarkable growth in 2024, with groundbreaking advancements redefining beauty, wellness, and patient care. From AI-driven personalization in skincare treatments to cutting-edge energy-based devices enhancing non-invasive procedures, the year has been marked by innovations that are reshaping the landscape of aesthetic medicine.

This convergence of technology, patient-centric care, and a growing emphasis on natural, sustainable beauty solutions is creating a dynamic environment where every breakthrough is setting new standards for outcomes and patient satisfaction. In our editors’ recap, we celebrate the notable milestones achieved by leading visionaries and innovators in the Medical aesthetics industry.

Mergers, acquisitions & partnerships

In January, Evolus announced an agreement with Symatese to be the exclusive distributor in the United Kingdom and Europe of four unique dermal fillers. The product line is in late-stage development and commercialization under the brand name Estyme fillers in 2025. Later in the year, the company won CE mark for ESTYME hyaluronic acid-based injectable products.

Another partnership between Novaestiq Corp and Croma-Pharma GmbH to be the exclusive U.S. distributor of the Saypha® line of dermal fillers. In addition, Novaestiq also entered exclusive negotiations to combine with Coronado Aesthetics, LLC owners of Sebacia™, FDA-cleared gold microparticles, indicated for use with 1064 nm lasers to treat acne vulgaris and a first-in-class FDA-cleared silver photo-particle topical gel indicated for use with 810 nm diode lasers for removal of light-coloured hair.

Q2 saw Hahn & Company beginning a merger of Cynosure and Lutronic. Designed to leverage both companies’ considerable expertise and resources, the merger presented a suite of products and services while ensuring comprehensive customer service and aesthetic solutions.

At the end of the summer, Alma UK announced a collaboration with Prollenium Medical Technologies, the innovators behind Revanesse®, the renowned dermal fillers collection. The new partnership represented a significant milestone in the aesthetics industry, merging Alma’s expertise in energy-based devices with Revanesse’s injectable treatments, ensuring optimal outcomes for clinics and their patients.

In Q4, Tiger Aesthetics acquired Revelle Aesthetics, makers of Avéli cellulite reduction device which is FDA-cleared as a one-time treatment with long-term results. This acquisition broadened the commercial impact of the Tiger Aesthetics portfolio into the fast-growing field of regenerative body aesthetics.

Funding

Q1 saw Galderma listing its shares on the SIX Swiss Exchange – the largest IPO placement volume in Switzerland since 2017. The Galderma’s issued share capital comprises 237,897,635 registered shares, of which 37,233,708 newly issued registered shares together with 276,909 existing registered shares were offered in the IPO.

In June, AVAVA, Inc. secured $35m funding for its focus on advancing image-guided intradermal laser products that are safe and effective for all skin tones. The financing will allow AVAVA to continue developing products, reach expansion goals already approved by the board of directors, and accelerate the commercialization of its main product, MIRIA.

November saw ELEVAI Labs, Inc. announced pricing of $6,000,000 initial public offering. The offering consisted of 1,500,000 shares of common stock at a public offering price of $4.00 per share. The shares of common stock have been approved for listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market.

Product innovation and Regulatory Approvals

The year started with the announcement of the first U.S. commercial procedure with Motiva Flora Tissue Expander, developed by the global medical technology company dedicated to improving women’s health and wellness, Establishment Labs. The recent FDA clearance and first procedure marked significant developments in the field of plastic and reconstructive surgery. Later in the autumn, the company also received approval from the FDA for the use of Motiva SmoothSilk Ergonomix and Motiva SmoothSilk Round breast implants in primary and revision breast augmentation. These devices feature the patented SmoothSilk surface, designed for enhanced biocompatibility and scientifically shown to promote low inflammation. 

In February, Cutera announced the international limited commercial release of AviClear® at IMCAS World Congress 2024. AviClear is a 1726nm laser, which targets and suppresses the production of sebum, thereby treating acne at its source. AviClear delivers high power (100W) selectively to the sebaceous glands, the source of sebum production while protecting surrounding tissue through Cutera’s AviCool™ contact cooling technology.

In May, The FDA approved the expanded use of Acclaro Medical’s UltraClear cold ablative fractional 2,910 nm fibre laser for the treatment of benign pigmented lesions and vascular dyschromia. The product was launched in April 2022, with 2,910 nm wavelength at water peak absorption, maximising tissue ablation while minimising the incidence of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, erythema and bleeding.                  

Shortly after, GC Aesthetics launched a new product aimed at improving breast reconstruction for women. The FixNip Nipple and Areola Reconstruction Implant (NRI) addresses a clinical need by providing a long-term aesthetic solution. It features a biocompatible smooth silicone structure with a floral-shaped nitinol frame. This design allows the implant to be folded for minimal incision and then restored to its original shape once inserted.

Another notable regulatory approval included Merz Aesthetics’ XEOMIN® as the first US Neurotoxin for the simultaneous treatment of upper facial lines. The FDA approval added the indication for the treatment of horizontal forehead lines and lateral canthal lines, or crow’s feet, in addition to the previous frown lines indication.

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