Medicis Announces the Launch of Restylane Rewards - First-Ever Consumer Loyalty Program for a Cosmetic Procedure
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--March 2, 2005--Medicis (NYSE:MRX) today announced the launch of Restylane Rewards(SM), the first and only consumer loyalty program for a cosmetic procedure. Restylane(R) is the first non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid ("HA") filler for the treatment of facial wrinkles and folds. This new and unique program was developed to reward loyal Restylane consumers for adhering to a semi-annual treatment schedule, designed to ensure optimal results and maximize patient satisfaction.
The Restylane Rewards program is available to all Restylane consumers. To participate in the Rewards program, each consumer first must enroll at www.RestylaneUSA.com. Once enrolled, consumers then submit a copy of their physician's dated invoice (for a Restylane treatment), along with the end flap(s) from the Restylane box(es) used for that particular treatment. Consumers will receive an initial reward upon proof of their first visit, and subsequent rewards for Restylane treatments within six-month intervals. For each qualifying treatment, participants will receive rewards ranging from $25 select retailer gift cards to $100 spa gift certificates (via SpaFinder magazine).
"In the year since its launch, Restylane has continued to gain popularity as a highly effective and long-lasting, non-surgical treatment for facial wrinkles," said Jonah Shacknai, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Medicis. "The Restylane Rewards program offers a token of our gratitude to loyal consumers for making Restylane an essential component of their semi-annual beauty and anti-aging regimen."
Restylane continues to hold its position as the market leader among cosmetic dermal fillers for its efficacy and clinically-proven persistence, despite the entry of other HA-fillers in recent months. Of all the fillers approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") available today, only Restylane has published clinical data supporting its efficacy for six months, or longer.
Additionally, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) recently released its latest statistics on cosmetic procedures, which showed a 659% increase in the use of hyaluronic acid fillers since 2003. Approved by the FDA in December 2003, Restylane was the first and only non-animal HA-based filler available in the U.S. until mid-December 2004, and is the key driver behind this surge in the use of HA-based fillers.
About Restylane
Restylane is the first and only dermal filler made of crystal-clear gel called NASHA(TM) (Non-Animal Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid). Restylane uses a dual mechanism of action to correct wrinkles and folds. Upon being injected beneath the skin's surface, the NASHA gel adds natural volume and lift to smooth wrinkles and folds. The NASHA gel integrates into dermal tissue, then attracts and binds to water molecules to help maintain volume. Restylane is gradually degraded by the body's own mechanism and disappears without any residue. Results can be seen immediately following treatment and last six months, or even longer in some cases. Restylane does not require any allergy or skin test prior to injection. As with any dermal filler, reported side effects include temporary redness and swelling at the injection site. These effects usually resolve within two days. Restylane is a prescribed medical device product, so please speak with your healthcare professional to see if it is right for you. For more information on Restylane and Restylane Rewards, including complete product information and study data, visit www.RestylaneUSA.com.
About Medicis
Medicis Aesthetics Inc., the company that is marketing and selling Restylane in the U.S., is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation, a leading independent specialty pharmaceutical company in the United States focusing primarily on the treatment of aesthetic, dermatological, and podiatric conditions. The Company is dedicated to helping patients attain a healthy and youthful appearance and self-image. Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation has leading branded prescription products in a number of therapeutic categories, including acne, eczema, fungal infections, psoriasis, rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis and skin and skin-structure infections. The Company's products have earned wide acceptance by both physicians and patients due to their clinical effectiveness, high quality and cosmetic elegance.
Except for historical information, this press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act. All statements included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that Medicis expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. This includes earnings estimates, future financial performance and other matters. These statements are based on certain assumptions made by Medicis based on its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of Medicis. Any such projections or statements include the current views of Medicis with respect to future events and financial performance. No assurances can be given, however, that these events will occur or that such results will be achieved. Medicis cannot validate its assumptions of the full impact on its business of the approval of competitive generic versions of its core brands, including DYNACIN(R) Tablets and/or LOPROX(R), or any future competitive product approvals that may affect its brands. Also, there are a number of additional important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, including the anticipated size of the markets, the availability of product supply, the receipt of required regulatory approvals, the ability to realize anticipated synergies and benefits of the Q-Med transactions, the risks and uncertainties normally incident to the pharmaceutical industry, dependence on sales of key products, the uncertainty of future financial results and fluctuations in operating results, dependence on Medicis' strategy including the uncertainty of license payments and/or other payments due from third parties, the timing and success of new product development by Medicis or third parties, product introductions, the risks of pending or future litigation, and other risks described from time to time in Medicis' SEC filings including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2004. There can be no assurance as to when or if any of the holders of the Notes will have the right to convert or if the Notes will be converted, and what impact the increase in the number of shares outstanding will have on its results of operations. Forward-looking statements represent the judgment of Medicis' management as of the date of this release, and Medicis disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements.
NOTE: Full prescribing information for any Medicis prescription product is available by contacting the Company. OMNICEF(R) is a registered trademark of Abbott Laboratories, Inc. under a license from Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. RESTYLANE(R) is a registered trademark of and RESTYLANE REWARDS(SM) is a service mark of HA North American Sales AB, a subsidiary of Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation. NASHA(TM) is a trademark of Q-Med AB. All other marks (or brands) and names are the property of Medicis or its Affiliates.
Contacts: Medicis Kara Stancell, 602-808-3854 (Investor) or DeVries Public Relations Michelle Naughton, 212-891-0490 (Media)