The Net Times: PR Almirall and Symatese enter into a global strategic collaboration for the development and commercialization of products in the Aesthetics field

Almirall and Symatese enter into a global strategic collaboration for the development and commercialization of products in the Aesthetics field

· Almirall has entered into a long-term development, technology license and supply agreement with Symatese, an innovator of medical devices with more than 30 years of experience in the Aesthetic market

· The development of a new range of Hyaluronic Acid facial fillers will be the first step of this collaboration

· This agreement reinforces Almirall's strategy to continue building a presence in Aesthetic Medicine

Barcelona, March 16th 2017

Almirall S.A., a global pharmaceutical company based in Barcelona, and Symatese, a leading developer and manufacturer of innovative medical devices with more than 30 years of experience, announced today that they have entered into a global collaboration for the development and commercialization of customized products in the Aesthetics field.

In accordance with the terms of this collaboration, Symatese grants Almirall an exclusive license for the commercialization of a new range of Hyaluronic Acid facial fillers worldwide in exchange of an upfront payment of €7.5 Million and subsequent event milestones, royalties and sales milestones. In line with Almirall's strategy to continue building a presence in the Aesthetic market, this collaboration represents not only an attractive opportunity to enter the injectable facial filler market with a differentiated technology, but also create a long-term partnership with a leading developer of medical devices for aesthetic applications.

Activities will first be focused on the development of a new Hyaluronic Acid-based transformation technology. This technology will enable Almirall to provide a new, safe, efficacious and versatile range of dermal facial fillers that will satisfy patient desires to replace lost facial volume with predictable, natural looking and satisfying results.

Eduardo Sanchiz, CEO of Almirall, commented: "Following the acquisition of ThermiGen, a leading player in the radiofrequency energy-device market, with this collaboration Almirall continues to make progress with its strategic direction into Dermatology and medical Aesthetics. This long-term partnership with Symatese, a leading developer of medical devices, ensures that Almirall will have access to future innovations for the dermal filler market covering our customers unmet needs."

Dermal filler market

The dermal filler market has demonstrated significant growth over the last decade and is expected to reach €2.4 bn in 2022 worldwide. A hyaluronic acid-based filler acts like an inflated cushion to support facial structures and tissues that may have lost volume or elasticity due to the normal aging process. It also brings hydration to the skin to keep it looking fresh and supple. Hyaluronic Acid fillers represent approximately 90% of this market. A Hyaluronic Acid filler range is considered an important base of an aesthetic portfolio, commercially synergistic with other aesthetics products.

About Almirall

Almirall is a global pharmaceutical company with a strong focus in Dermatology and Aesthetics with the mission of providing valuable medicines and medical devices to you and future generations. Our R&D is focused on Dermatology, with a wide range of programs including key indications. Through our innovative products, agreements and alliances, our work covers the entire drug value chain. Almirall is continually growing as a specialist company in a wide range of skin diseases, in order to cover our customers unmet needs.

Founded in 1943, headquartered in Barcelona, Spain, Almirall is listed on the Spanish Stock Exchange (ticker: ALM) and it has become a source of value creation for society due to its vision and the commitment of its long-standing major shareholders. In 2016, its revenues totaled 859.3 million euros and, with more than 2.000 employees, it has gradually built up a trusted presence across Europe, as well as in the US.

For more information, please visit www.almirall.com

About Symatese

SYMATESE is a private company based in Lyon. For more than 30 years SYMATESE has designed, produced and marketed medical devices according its know-how particularly in the field of biopolymers and silicone transformation, plastic injection with a focus on the medical and surgical aesthetics market and the ophthalmology market. SYMATESE has also been specialized for many years in the development of cell culture matrix, in particular for skins reconstructed in vitro.

With its BtoB activity SYMATESE GROUP provides its experience and expertise for the design and manufacturing of medical devices to medical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies according to international quality and regulatory requirements to allow for a worldwide market access.

Symatèse puts its innovation capacity, competencies and employee's expertise at the disposal of the patients and at the disposal of his partners in order to improve the quality of life of patients around the world.