Solta snaps up Aesthera
This article was originally published in The Gray Sheet
Executive Summary
Aesthetic treatment device maker Solta Medical will gain Isolaz and Isolaz Pro light-based acne treatment systems through its $5.25 million cash and stock purchase of privately-held Aesthera, announced Feb. 23. Solta could pay up to $750,000 more in baseline milestones, plus $10 million in "stretch milestones" under the terms of the deal. The Isolaz devices use Aesthera's Photopneumatic technology and "are the only laser or light based devices with FDA marketing clearance for the treatment of inflammatory acne, comedonal acne, pustular acne, and mild-to-moderate inflammatory acne," according to Solta. The conditions impact 40-50 million U.S. individuals each year. Aesthera had sales of $8.5 million in 2009. Solta, which makes Thermage and Fraxel systems to treat aging skin, says it will use its combined distribution strength to pursue cross-selling opportunities. Separately, on Feb. 23, Solta reported fourth quarter sales of $28.4 million - a 197% jump from a year ago that reflects the Dec. 23, 2008 acquisition of Reliant Technologies (Solta changed its name from Thermage after the 2008 merger) (1"The Gray Sheet" July 14, 2008)