The aesthetic market is becoming somewhat incestuous, with all of its major players currently embroiled in some sort of takeover attempt with each other. Back in March, dermatology specialist Medicis Pharmaceutical Corp. made an offer to acquire Inamed Corp. , the only pure-play in the medical aesthetics market (cosmetic drugs and devices marketed to physicians). [See Deal] Some months later, Mentor Corp. , Inamed's rival in breast implants, made an offer for Medicis. Now Allergan Inc. , "the Botox company," is vying for Inamed with what it believes is a better offer. [See Deal] That all four publicly traded companies are trying to merge with one another highlights just how hot the aesthetics market is today. Analysts claim that the non-surgical market for anti-aging treatments is worth $12.5 billion.
The bidding war also highlights the unique characteristics of the medical aesthetics specialty, in terms of the blurring between devices...
