The return of Artefill

Artefill, the permanent injectable filler, is returning to the U.S. market.

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to speak with the CEO of the new company, Suneva Medical, that has purchased all the production facilities and intellectual property of Artes Medical, the now-defunct owners of the Artefill brand.

Suneva Medical has now had their manufacturing facilities inspected and certified as GMP, and are ready to re-launch Artefill in selected physician practices. Artefill is a possible treatment for patients who have been using standard fillers for quite some time to improve their naso-labial creases, and who want a more long lasting (i.e. semi-permanent) option. Studies show that Artefill has a five-year proven duration.

The use of permanent fillers is debated amongst plastic surgeons. Injection technique has to be more exact, in terms of the amount and placement of the filler. This is not a product for physicians who are just starting their injection practices. Unlike the HA fillers which can be dissolved with an "antidote", Artefill injections are not easily reversible. Skin testing is required before the use of Artefill, to check for reactions to the product prior to use. People who have prior reactions to collagen should not have Artefill. Rare reactions, known as granulomas, are still possible, even with this newest formulation.

Goodbye, Artefill.

In an unexpected turn of events, Artes Medical, the makers of Artefill, have filed for Chapter 7. They blame this on the difficult economy and the resulting downturn in their cosmetic business. Their product, Artefill, will no longer be available, as the company is in the process of liquidation. Even some of their reps were caught off-guard!

Artefill was one of the few semi-permanent FDA-approved fillers, and was a unique formulation. We had some nice results with it, when it was appropriately used in the nasolabial (cheek) lines.

Oh, well...