By Jon Kamp
Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
A Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) unit has decided to stop making and selling a product called Evolence, used to fill facial lines in cosmetic procedures.
Ortho Dermatologics, a division of J&J's Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, has a note on its Web site regarding the withdrawal, which it said was announced on Tuesday. The company confirmed the move in a statement.
The Evolence halt is part of an effort "to refine strategic priorities and focus investment on other growth opportunities," Ortho Dermatologics said.
Many options for future management were explored before this decision was made, the company said. It added that patients and medical professionals can be assured that Evolence "remains effective for the correction of moderate to deep wrinkles and folds with a favorable safety profile."
The facial filler gained approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in June 2008, but it has been available in certain international markets since 2004. The U.S. arrival coincided with a rough time in the market for cosmetic medical products, which usually are not covered by insurers and came under pressure due to the recession.
J&J announced on Tuesday that it plans to lay off as many as 8,200 workers worldwide as part of a plan to save up to $1.7 billion in 2011.
-By Jon Kamp, Dow Jones Newswires; 617-654-6728; jon.kamp@dowjones.com