Is Artefill Back?

Artefill is the only permanent soft-tissue filler approved by the FDA.  Owing to corporate over-expansion and to the recession, Artefill's parent company, Artes Medical, filed for bankruptcy in December 2008.  So, Artefill has been unavailable for the past 9 months.

I am not a business person, and I certainly don't understand corporate finances and accounting.  Nevertheless, it appears clear that Artes Medical's problems were not a result of a bad product.  On the contrary, Artefill had been safely and effectively used in thousand of patients.

It's therefore exciting that Suneva Medical will soon re-launch Artefill.  Its competition is...

• Juvederm Ultra/Juvederm Ultra Plus:  6-9 month duration
• Restylane/Perlane:  6-9 month duration
• Elevess/Hydrelle:  6-9 month duration
• Prevelle Silk:  3-6 month duration
• Evolence/Evolence Breeze:  6-9 month duration
• Radiesse:  8-16 month duration
• Sculptra Aesthetic:  > 2-3 year duration

All of the above fillers are eventually absorbed.  (Sculptra is the lone exception.  Because the collagen produced by Sculptra is a patient's own, perhaps some of Sculptra's effects will be permanent too.)

Artefill stands out because it will not be degraded.  The FDA will allow it to be marketed as the only permanent device for correction of nasolabial folds--the creases between the nostrils and the corners of the mouth.

Of course, patients will continue to age, so even Artefill's smoothing effects will not truly be permanent.  At least, perhaps, Artefill injections can be limited to once every 5-10 years.

I think that Artefill will have a place in my armamentarium.  There certainly are patients who have "injection fatigue."  While the procedure for Juvederm or Restylane is not painful, the bruising and swelling are never fun.

Cost may be an issue.  An Artefill treatment will likely cost twice as much as the other products' treatments.  Of course, in the long run, Artefill should be cheaper, but it remains to be seen whether patients in our difficult economy will be willing to spend $2000 for a single session of injectables.

Comments

[Kellie Walsh]

Dr. Pickart I am pleased to report that Artefill is very much back and available for purchase. We appreciate your positive feedback on the product as many physicians around the country share the same sentinments. If you would like an update I would be happy to put someone in touch with you.