NEW YORK, May 4: Elizabeth Arden, Inc.(Nasdaq: RDEN), a global prestige beauty products company, has entered into anexclusive co-marketing agreement with Allergan, Inc., a specialtypharmaceutical company and market leader in dermatology.
Allergan is the maker of Botox(R) Cosmetic, currently the No. 1 non-surgical cosmeticprocedure in the United States, and M.D.Forte(R), a leading physician-dispensed skincare line in the United States. The agreement teams Elizabeth
Arden’s expertise in the prestige skincare industry with Allergan’s leadership
in dermatology.
The partnership will bring a newly formulated PREVAGE(TM) to prestige cosmetic retailers worldwide through Elizabeth Arden. The new formulation will contain 0.5% idebenone, a patented, revolutionary, potent and effective antioxidant. The physician-strength product containing 1% idebenone will be known as PREVAGE(TM) MD and will continue to be sold by Allergan though physicians. PREVAGE(TM) was launched by Allergan in January 2005.
“The dermatology-inspired skincare market is experiencing explosive growth. The collaboration of Allergan, one of the world’s foremost specialty pharmaceutical companies, and Elizabeth Arden, a leader in innovative skincare since 1910, will bring PREVAGE(TM) and its breakthrough technology to the global skincare market,” said Scott Beattie, Chairman and CEO of Elizabeth
Arden.
“We intend to take advantage of this opportunity and establish a leadership position in this category. We expect the collaboration to grow the dermatology-inspired skincare market globally.”
Idebenone is a benzoquinone compound currently used by the medical community. In the medical field, idebenone has been used, among other things, to protect organs from the oxidation process prior to transplant surgery. This same oxidation process is one of the primary causes of skin aging, a fact that led scientists to research idebenone’s application as an antioxidant when topically applied to skin.
“PREVAGE(TM) represents a significant advance in skincare which is supported by scientific studies,” said Kenneth C. Hertz, M.D., a leading dermatologist based in Miami and former clinical associate in the dermatology branch of the National Institute of Health.
Experts in the field of aging recognize oxidative stress as a fundamental cause of extrinsic aging. “Idebenone is currently the most effective molecule for use in preventing and addressing the impact of oxidative stress on the skin. Idebenone retards the signs of aging and restores cell vitality.
PREVAGE(TM) is clinically tested to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles, increase skin hydration, and improve the overall appearance of the skin”, said David H. McDaniel, M.D., Director, Institute of Anti-Aging Research at Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Assistant Professor of Clinical Dermatology and Plastic Surgery, Eastern Virginia Medical School.
PREVAGE(TM) is being lauded by dermatologists for its ability to help reduce fine lines and wrinkles as well as protect against future damage. “PREVAGE(TM) is an antioxidant that is clinically proven to protect the skin against environmental factors and to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” added Dr. Hertz.
“The idebenone in PREVAGE(TM) has been shown to have more reparative effects on the skin than other commonly used antioxidants,” said Heidi Waldorf, M.D., Director of Laser and Cosmetic Dermatology at The Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, New York, and Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Dermatology at The Mount Sinai School of Medicine.
A six-week clinical study to evaluate the use of PREVAGE(TM), performed by Allergan’s independent testing lab, yielded these impressive results:
– 27% reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
– 22% reduction in skin roughness or dryness
– 37% increase in skin hydration
– 30% improvement in the appearance of skin
Elizabeth Arden and Allergan will collaborate on all aspects of PREVAGE(TM), including formulation, packaging design, and marketing. The new formulation, created by Elizabeth Arden’s research and development team and Allergan’s scientists, will begin being distributed through leading department stores and prestige outlets worldwide in early 2006 and the physician product later in 2005. Elizabeth Arden and Allergan will also collaborate on developing additional PREVAGE(TM) products.
“We will continue working together to create a portfolio of products and make the latest, most effective skincare anti-aging technology available to consumers globally,” said Beattie.
“We are very pleased to be partnering with Elizabeth Arden,” said Bob Rhatigan, Vice President, Allergan’s U.S. Dermatology business unit. “Our relationship will benefit from our mutual rich heritage in skincare.”
Elizabeth Arden is a global prestige beauty products company. The Company’s portfolio of leading brands includes the fragrance brands Red Door, Red Door Revealed, Elizabeth Arden Green Tea, Elizabeth Arden 5th avenue, ardenbeauty, Elizabeth Arden Provocative Woman, curious Britney Spears(TM), Elizabeth Taylor’s White Diamonds, Passion, Forever Elizabeth and Gardenia, White Shoulders, Geoffrey Beene’s Grey Flannel, Halston, Halston Z-14, Unbound, PS Fine Cologne for Men, Design and Wings; the Elizabeth Arden skincare line, including Ceramides and Eight Hour Cream; and the ElizabethArden color cosmetics line.
SOURCE Elizabeth Arden, Inc.
Web Site: www.elizabetharden.com