Merz Finalizes Acquisition of Medical Device Company Ulthera, Inc.
Company’s Largest Acquisition Strengthens Aesthetics Business
GREENSBORO, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Merz and Ulthera, Inc. have finalized a transaction for Merz to acquire the global medical device company, officials announced today. This announcement follows the necessary regulatory review by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice. The addition of Ulthera’s energy device technology complements Merz’s current offerings and expands the specialty pharmaceutical company‘s aesthetics portfolio.
This acquisition, valued at up to $600 million in upfront cash and milestone payments, is the largest in Merz’s history. It represents an important strategic milestone for the company as Merz continues to establish itself as a global leader in the area of aesthetics.
Founded in 2004, Ulthera is a leader in non-surgical lifting and tightening treatments. Using therapeutic ultrasound technology, the Ulthera® System is the first and only ultrasound platform device to receive a skin-lifting indication from the FDA. Earlier this month, Ulthera announced that their proprietary Ulthera® System has received FDA clearance to non-invasively treat the chest to improve lines and wrinkles of the décolleté, in addition to its clearance to lift skin on the brow, neck and under the chin.
Merz North America is a specialty healthcare company that develops and commercializes innovative, high-quality treatment solutions in aesthetics, dermatology and neurosciences in the U.S. and Canada. Merz North America is an important contributor to the U.S. aesthetics space, offering a well-balanced range of injectable products, including the dermal fillers Radiesse® and Belotero Balance® and the neurotoxin Xeomin® (incobotulinumtoxinA), as well as the NEOCUTIS line of anti-aging and post-procedure skincare products. As part of the Merz Pharma Group of companies, our ambition is to become the most admired, trusted and innovative aesthetics and neurotoxin company. By developing products that improve patients’ health and help them to live better, feel better and look better, we will continue to make significant contributions to the well-being of individuals around the world.
For more information about Merz and the Company’s U.S. product portfolio, please visit www.merzusa.com.
Ulthera, Inc. is a global, high-growth medical device company pioneering aesthetic and medical applications using its therapeutic ultrasound platform technology. The Ulthera® System is the first and only energy-based device to receive FDA clearance for a non-invasive aesthetic lift indication. It is used in a face and neck procedure known as Ultherapy®, which is cleared to lift skin on the brow, neck and under the chin and to improve lines and wrinkles of the décolleté. Founded in 2004 and based in Mesa, Arizona. Ulthera is a privately held company backed by top-tier venture capital firms New Enterprise Associates and Apposite Capital. For more information, please visit www.Ulthera.com.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION for XEOMIN® (incobotulinumtoxinA) INCLUDING BOXED WARNING
WARNING: DISTANT SPREAD OF TOXIN EFFECT
Postmarketing reports indicate that the effects of XEOMIN® (incobotulinumtoxinA) for injection, for intramuscular use, and all botulinum toxin products may spread from the area of injection to produce symptoms consistent with botulinum toxin effects. These may include asthenia, generalized muscle weakness, diplopia, blurred vision, ptosis, dysphagia, dysphonia, dysarthria, urinary incontinence and breathing difficulties. These symptoms have been reported hours to weeks after injection. Swallowing and breathing difficulties can be life threatening and there have been reports of death. The risk of symptoms is probably greatest in children treated for spasticity but symptoms can also occur in adults treated for spasticity and other conditions, particularly in those patients who have underlying conditions that would predispose them to these symptoms. In unapproved uses, including spasticity in children and adults, and in approved indications, cases of spread of effect have been reported at doses comparable to those used to treat cervical dystonia and at lower doses.