Industry Leaders, Analysts Forecast Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Market

For Immediate Release: September 21, 2006

SAN FRANCISCO – Plastic surgery industry leaders and analysts will offer the latest data regarding trends, innovations and forecasts for the high-profile cosmetic plastic surgery market on Monday, October 9, in San Francisco at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Industry Forum.

More than ten million cosmetic plastic surgery procedures were performed in 2005, a 38% increase since 2000, according to ASPS statistics. This business forum will feature CEO’s of the leading companies in the industry as well as opinion leaders, market researchers and financial analysts. Presenters will provide stock analyses, company visions and procedural statistics on topics including breast implants, facial fillers, neurotoxins, tissue engineering and body shaping.

Featured speakers include Jonah Shacknai, CEO, Medicis (NYSE:MRX) and Joshua Levine, CEO, Mentor Corporation (NYSE:MNT). Keynote speaker Robert Grant, president, Allergan Medical (NYSE:AGN) will be joined by Michael Moretti, editor, Aesthetic Buyers Guide; Peter Bye, research analyst, Wachovia; Mikael Svensson, OrthoNeutrogena (NYSE:JNJ); Steve Basta, CEO, Bioform; Shimon Eckhouse, chairman, Syneron Medical (NASDAQ:ELOS); Bruce Cunningham, MD, ASPS president; James Wells, MD, ASPS past president; and Miles Graivier, MD, ASPS member surgeon.

“Our firm has closely tracked data on the cosmetic industry for the past 10 years, and we believe the global market now exceeds $30 billion, with a sustainable compound annual growth rate in the range of 25%,” said Michael Moretti, editor, Aesthetic Buyer’s Guide (miinews.com), who will moderate the forum. “This enormous business growth opportunity is attracting major pharmaceutical companies, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and other investors to the cosmetic procedure space. We can expect to see significant technology innovation as well as increased merger and acquisition activity as new players develop the dynamic aesthetic market on a global basis.”

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is the largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons in the world. With more than 6,000 members, the Society is recognized as a leading authority and information source on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. ASPS comprises more than 90 percent of all board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States. Founded in l93l, the Society represents physicians certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.