Sanofi-aventis pharmaceuticals, has announced the launch of its new anti-ageing drug, Sculptra in UAE following its recent approval from the UAE Ministry of Health.

Sculptra is an injectable treatment that consists of poly-L-lactic acid sterile suspension that is biocompatible and biodegradable making it easy for the body to absorb, said a statement from Sanofi-aventis.

'Sculptra also stimulates the natural production of collagen in the skin. Collagen is a natural protein in the human body that keeps skin smooth and prevents fat loss. As the body ages, it slows down the production of collagen, which leads to fat loss and the appearance of wrinkles.'

'By stimulating natural collagen production, Sculptra helps to restore facial contours that make people look naturally younger. Furthermore, the use of Sculptra guarantees effects that last upto two years, unlike other traditional fillers that inject synthetic collagen in the skin and last only for one year,' the statement added.

“The extent of the changes in facial ageing requires a global approach rather than a correction of a few individual lines,” said Dr Danny Vleggaar, head of Dermal Rejuvenation & Substitution Therapy, Esthetic & Reconstructive Surgery, Centre Dermato-Esthetiques, Geneva, Switzerland. “Sculptra is not a dermal filler and it should not be used like one.”

Dr Ali Al-Numairy, consultant Plastic & Aesthetic Surgery, said, 'Over the last 20 years, there has been a dramatic evolution in the treatment of lines, wrinkles, and folds that are characteristic of the ageing process, and non-surgical cosmetic procedures represent an increasingly important part of this.'

'With Sculptra, we are now able to offer patients a non-invasive, long-lasting and practical cosmetic procedure that produces effective results and reverses the effects of ageing. It can be used to correct facial wrinkles, build up any sunken areas of the face and reduce skin indentations,' Dr Al-Numairy explained.

'We are confident that the treatment will be well received in this region as it is a minimally invasive procedure that is effective, well tolerated and has long lasting benefits such as a more natural and youthful appearance,' he said.

“Also, Sculptra does not give the unwanted results of terminal fillers and at the same time it does not need the repetition process required for temporary fillers,” he added.

Sculptra received Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for lipoatrophy indication in 2004 & CE Marking (European approval) in 1999.

As it spread, Sculptra started to gain a reputation for being a breakthrough in the field of aesthetics and has been used since 1999 by more than 150,000 patients in over 20 countries across the US and Europe. Kuwait will be the first Middle Eastern country to launch Sculptra.

Sanofi-aventis recently hosted a launch symposium for plastic surgeons and cosmetic dermatologists in UAE to introduce Sculptra and highlight the benefits of this breakthrough product.

This is in line with the company’s goal to ensure that physicians are well equipped with the technical knowledge required to administer the product appropriately. Only certified trained physicians were allowed to prescribe Sculptra, ensuring optimal practice and the best service for patients, the company said.-TradeArabia News Service