Signs point to a suppressed market for all aesthetics products for at least the remainder of 2009, but there's some evidence that dermal fillers have escaped the worst effects of the economic downturn. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that while there was a 5% decrease in facelifts in 2008, the use of hyaluronic acid fillers was up by 6%, although dermal filler sales started to take a hit in the final quarter of the year.

Although no major breakthroughs were reported at this year's American Academy of Dermatology meeting, participants emphasized ongoing progress in existing aesthetic technologies. The dermal filler market proved to be one of the most dynamic topics. Although growth is expected to slow somewhat in the next three years, the worldwide market for dermal fillers is projected to continue to grow at double digit or near double-digit rates, approaching $950 million by 2010.

Pink Sheet reporters and editors consider the fallout from Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics Inc.’s negative US FDA advisory committee decision on its ALS drug, the impact of a government shutdown on the agency, and a study showing only a limited possibility for significant savings in the first round of Medicare price negotiations.