FDA Approves BELOTERO Balance®: Success of a Promising Partnership Between Anteis and Merz Aesthetics

GENEVA and PLAN- LES-OUATES, Switzerland, November 21, 2011
(ots/PRNewswire) --

BELOTERO Balance(R) has now been approved by the US Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) for injection into the mid-to-deep dermis to
correct moderate-to-severe facial wrinkles and folds such as
nasolabial folds. BELOTERO Balance(R) is a hyaluronic acid-based
cohesive gel dermal filler that delivers natural-looking results with
little recovery time. "We are pleased to announce this FDA approval
for BELOTERO Balance(R). It represents a significant milestone for
Anteis and Merz Aesthetics, Inc.", stated Gilles Bos, Chief Executive
Officer of Anteis and Dennis Condon, President and CEO of Merz
Aesthetics, Inc.

Practitioners and patients will now have a breakthrough
alternative in aesthetic medicine with BELOTERO Balance(R) "thanks to
a successful partnership between Anteis, a Swiss leader in aesthetic
dermatology, ophthalmology and orthopaedics, and Merz Aesthetics, a
division of Merz Pharmaceuticals in Germany", added Gilles Bos and
Dennis Condon.

Since 2004, this partnership has encompassed the BELOTERO
Balance(R) range in markets such as the United Kingdom, Germany,
Italy, Russia, Austria and Switzerland. This medical device is
currently approved for aesthetic use and distributed worldwide by
Anteis under the brand name of Esthélis[TM ]Basic.

This collaboration between Anteis and Merz Aesthetics provides
new market opportunities worth an estimated $372.4 million in the
North America market for dermal fillers[1]

"Through our partnership with Anteis, Merz Aesthetics has been
able to add a new brand to its expanding portfolio of aesthetics
products in the United States", added Dennis Condon.

"This partnership forms an important part of our plans to become
a global player in Sodium Hyaluronate-based injectable formulations
and injection technologies (such as the Anteis Injection System) in
dermatology, and to provide breakthrough and innovative health
solutions in the fields of ophthalmology, orthopaedics and beyond.
With the support of our highly skilled team, and through partnerships
with pharmaceutical, biotech and cosmetics companies, we will extend
our reach, increase our international sales, and continue to grow in
terms of new indications and a broader portfolio. Our ultimate goal
is for healthcare practitioners to feel confident that our products
constitute best practice, and for patients to feel they are receiving
optimum care," concluded Gilles Bos.

About Anteis

Since it was founded in 2003, ANTEIS has become one of the
leaders in the development, production and distribution of injectable
medical devices. The company now has an established reputation in the
field of aesthetic dermatology, particularly with its line of dermal
wrinkle fillers (Esthélis[TM]Basic/ BELOTERO Balance(R)), and
continues to launch innovative products every year. Thanks to its
vast Research and Development programme, ANTEIS provides added value
in the fields of aesthetic dermatology, ophthalmology and
orthopaedics. The company has received many awards for its
innovations, including the Swiss Economic Award in May 2008 and the
Red Dot Design Award in April 2010.

Based in Geneva, ANTEIS employs an international team of 150
people, has operating subsidiaries in France and in Germany and a
distribution network covering more than 98 countries.

For further information, go to: http://www.anteis.com

About Merz Aesthetics

Merz Aesthetics, Inc. is a division of the German-based company
Merz Pharmaceuticals. The Merz Aesthetics Business Unit has
subsidiaries in 17 countries and cooperates with more than 30
distributors worldwide.

Founded in 1908 by Friedrich Merz, the company introduced the
world's first anti-wrinkle treatment in 1953 after extensive research
on the effects of revitalizing skin care essences. As part of the
Merz Pharma Group of companies, Merz Aesthetics leverages more than a
century of Merz's healthcare expertise with its range of products and
unparalleled services in the field of aesthetic dermatology. The Merz
legacy continues today with Merz Aesthetics' innovative portfolio of
products which are designed to empower consumers to achieve their
personalized beauty ideals.

Merz Aesthetics' has a balanced portfolio of products in the US
which includes its flagship brand, RADIESSE(R) Volumizing Filler as
well as other aesthetic products. Outside the US, the portfolio
comprises the BELOTERO(R) family of fillers, RADIESSE(R)Volumizing
Filler and other product brands.

1. Source: Medical Insight, Global Aesthetic Market VIII, 2010

ots Originaltext: Anteis
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
For any questions please contact: Carole Scheibli, Corporate
Communication Manager, Anteis SA, 18 chemin des Aulx, CH-1228
Plan-les-Ouates, Switzerland, Tel.: (+41)22-308-93-80, Fax:
(+41)22-308-93-03, c.scheibli@anteis.com, Sylvain Ducret, CFO, Anteis
SA,
18 chemin des Aulx, CH-1228 Plan-les-Ouates, Switzerland, Tel.:
(+41)22-308-93-80, Fax: (+41)22-308-93-03, s.ducret@anteis.com,
Audrey
Saluzzo, Media Healthcare Consultant, Publicis Advocacy, 26 rue
Salomon de
Rothschild, 92150 Suresnes, France, Tel: +33(0)1-58-47-78-56,
audrey.saluzzo@publicis-advocacy.com