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TDD Industry News and Views: Weekly Updates on Comings, Goings, and Other Happenings in Dermatology

Brett Fair Named National Sales Director at Sun Pharma

Brett Fair is now Sun Pharma’s National Sales Director for the medical dermatology sales team.

In this role, Mr. Fair is responsible for the promotion of Winlevi and Absorica LD.

Before joining Sun Pharma, he served as Vice President of Corporate Development at Novan Therapeutics.  Mr. Fair began his career at Allergan and has continued to focus on commercial opportunities in dermatology.

Verrica’s YCANTH to Be Distributed at Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy

Walgreen Co.  will distribute Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s YCANTH through its specialty pharmacy. Walgreens joins Verrica’s existing specialty pharmacy, Nufactor. 

“We are excited to enter into this agreement with Walgreens to help bring the first FDA-approved therapy for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum, YCANTH, to the millions of adults and children who contract this viral skin disease each year,” shares Ted White, President and Chief Executive Officer of Verrica Pharmaceuticals, in a news release. “Walgreens and Verrica mutually recognize the need to address this significant unmet medical need in dermatology, and we look forward to working together to provide greater access to YCANTH for patients in need.”

Shiseido to Acquire Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare

Shiseido Americas Corporation is set to acquire the Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare brand.

The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2024. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare was launched in 2000 by former skin cancer researcher and practicing dermatologist, Dr. Dennis Gross, and his wife, Carrie Gross. With the addition of Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare, Shiseido seeks to accelerate and strengthen its core prestige skincare business which includes brands SHISEIDO and Clé de Peau Beauté.

“This transaction is well-aligned with Shiseido’s 2030 goal of becoming a personal beauty wellness company that supports people in realizing unique beauty and wellness throughout their lives,” says Masahiko Uotani, Chairman and CEO of Shiseido, in a news release. “Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare is the perfect complement to our global portfolio of prestige brands as their core values are aligned with ours in terms of their scientific and innovative approach to beauty and our people-first culture.”

Dr. Gross, Co-Founder of Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare and Chief Science Officer, and Carrie Gross, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer add, “With its long and rich heritage blending beauty with science, Shiseido is the ideal home for Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare, and we look forward to partnering with the Shiseido team as we continue developing innovative products and skincare solutions that deliver visible results.”

Meet Spiderwort’s CelluJuve Clinical Advisory Board

Spiderwort Inc. recently announced its Clinical Advisory Board for CelluJuve, the firm’s proprietary dermal filler solution that harnesses the power of plant-derived scaffolding.

The Clinical Advisory Board includes:

Jason Bloom, MD, Facial Plastic Surgeon and Founder, Bloom Facial Plastic Surgery, Bryn Mawr, PA

Joely Kaufman, MD, Dermatologist and Director, Skin Associates of South Florida, Coral Gables, FL

Gregory A Buford, MD, Plastic Surgeon, Founder, BEAUTY by BUFORD, Core Aesthetics Consulting, and the Core Aesthetics Training Institute, Lone Tree, Colo. 

Ava Shamban, MD, Dermatologist and Founder, Ava MD, Beverly Hills, CA

“By bringing together this elite group of medical aesthetics professionals, we are not only amplifying Spiderwort’s commitment to excellence but also ensuring CelluJuve remains at the forefront of aesthetic innovation,” says Dr. Charles M. Cuerrier, CEO and Co-founder of Spiderwort, in a news release. “We look forward to working closely with the Clinical Advisory Board as we introduce this next evolution in dermal fillers and regenerative medicine.”

Journey Medical Corporation Secures Credit Facility With SWK Holdings for Up to $20 Million

Journey Medical Corporation has entered into a credit facility with an affiliate of SWK Holdings Corporation for up to $20 million, the Company reports.

“The funding will support general corporate purposes, as well as anticipated expenses for DFD-29, including an upcoming New Drug Application submission and preparation for its potential commercial launch, pending FDA approval,” says Claude Maraoui, Co-Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Journey Medical, in a news release. DFD-29 (Minocycline Modified Release Capsules 40 mg)  is being developed for the treatment of papulopustular rosacea in collaboration with Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd.

Meet Luvantas, Medytox’s New Wholly Owned North American Subsidiary

Medytox, Inc. has formed Luvantas, Inc. as its wholly owned North American subsidiary. 

Luvantas is working with Medytox to seek approval for the upcoming introduction of NivobotulinumtoxinA to the United States and Canada.  A Biological License Application was submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in December 2023. Luvantas plans to seek approval to introduce other aesthetic offerings from Medytox, as well as partner with emerging companies and inventors to support the commercialization of unique medical aesthetic solutions.

In connection with the formation of Luvantas, Thomas A. Albright has been appointed its President and CEO and Stephanie A. Yee has been appointed its CFO.

Mr. Albright was CEO of Recros Medica since 2017 and of Andrew Technologies from 2011 to 2017. Earlier, he was President of the Topical Aesthetic division of Syneron and VP North American Marketing at Nobel Biocare. Mr. Albright started in medical aesthetics at Allergan in 2000, where he led the worldwide launches of BOTOX Cosmetic. While at Allergan, he also led the commercial development of Latisse®and served as Alliance Manager for the multi-functional Japan and China collaboration with Glaxo Smithkline. 

Prior to joining Luvantas, Ms. Yee was the VP of Finance of Allegro Ophthalmics, LLC, a biopharmaceutical company in the R&D stage, where she led business development and financing efforts. She has held Corporate Controller roles at ZO Skin Health, Inc. and ClaripHy Communications, Inc. Prior to that, Ms. Lee held several management positions at Emulex Corporation. Before Emulex, Ms. Yee worked at IntraLase Corporation, where she supported their international expansion and acquisition by Advanced Medical Optics, Inc., now part of Johnson and Johnson.