The St. Luke's Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Center emphasizes patient safety as well as patient knowledge. "We want to have a center that is a resource center in terms of information on the safety of the technology being used in performing the procedures and in consolidating data on those who have availed [themselves] of plastic surgery and other cosmetic services," said Dr. René Valerio, head of the Center. "Since this is a hospital-based Center, our patients are assured of the safety and high quality of patient care that St. Luke's is known for. This will also give us the opportunity to further develop and improve techniques for aesthetic surgery."

    The center provides expertise and facilities for world-class aesthetic plastic surgery procedures. Patients will be first seen and evaluated in the center. After the appropriate preoperative workup, the recommended surgical procedure can then be performed in the operating room while upholding the patient's sense of discretion and comfort. "We want to give our potential patients a center which provides privacy, confidentiality, comfort, and a sense of beauty, avoiding the sterile and intimidating look of most hospitals," Valerio added.

    What makes the St. Luke's Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Center different from similar clinics is its multidisciplinary team of doctors who are on hand to consult with patients. These doctors include those from St. Luke's Departments of Otorhinolaryngology and Ophthalmology, the Dermatology Center, Center for Weight Management and Clinical Nutrition, Geriatric Center, and the Wellness Program Office.

    The center aims to be involved in training qualified plastic surgeons in aesthetic plastic surgery through short courses and fellowships. Research is also a priority. The center aims to have the latest in aesthetic-plastic-surgery technology. Appropriate postsurgical-care support systems are also available.

    For more information, please call 632-7230101 ext. 5207. M

Here come "cosmeceuticals"

Cosmetics that cure is the irresistible premise behind yet another fast-growing spawn of the biotechnology revolution: cosmeceuticals. According to one estimate, the cosmeceu-ticals industry is growing by 12 percent yearly compared with only four percent for traditional cosmetics.

    It no longer seems enough for a beauty product to just cover flaws, smell good, and feel nice to the touch. As the term implies, cosmeceuticals fuses cosmetics with pharmaceuticals, resulting in formulations that work at the molecular level to heal pathological skin conditions and slow down natural degradation.

    "We are always interested in looking at new biological pathways in the skin, like those that lead, for example, to oxidation, at inflammatory cytokines. People are learning more and more about the biology of the skin and this allows researchers to discover new tools that can be used by the cosmetic industry and dermatologists in developing innovative products," said Dr. Alain Thibodeau, head of research and development for the French Canadian Atrium Biotechnologies.

    Atrium independently develops and supplies active cosmeceutical ingredients, based on molecular separation technology, to some of the world's leading cosmetics companies: Estée Lauder, Chanel, Christian Dior, L'Oreal, and Japan's Kanebo. These ingredients are used for various formulations: as creams, gels, cleansers, wipes, and functional make-ups.

    A key product line of the company are biomimetic peptides, natural amino acids that can support natural skin physiological mechanisms such as pigmentation, antiinflammatory response, cellular reconstruction, and tissue repair. These are marketed as a host of patented active ingredients in antiageing, antiirritant, firming, sun-protection, skin-defense-enhancement, and whitening products.

    Thibodeau said their products are subject to the same rigors as new medicines, although the research and development turnaround is faster and intellectual-property issues are less important.

    He explained: "We do a lot of in vitro testing to make sure of the product's biological efficacy. When we know the in vitro efficacy, we go to the safety profile. Then we complete clinical trials where we work directly on subjects."

    The growth of the industry is also making government regulatory bodies more vigilant, with new rules released every year. Thibodeau said he welcomes this as a means to separate the grain from the chaff in an industry that now has more than 100 players. "It will get more and more difficult for companies who are not serious to be able to comply, leaving only truly science-driven companies like Atrium in the running," he said.

    Thibodeau said that antiageing solutions, which include products reducing the appearance of wrinkles and age spots and improving skin hydration, will continue to command the most interest, especially with growing ageing populations among developed countries. Antiacne research is another perennially important area.

    In fact, the first and one of the strongest active ingredients in Atrium's product portfolio is an antiageing compound commercially known as the MDI Complex used by Estée Lauder for 12 of its products. Aside from its antiageing effect, it also inhibits other enzymes responsible for acne and other manifestations of skin degradation.

    Atrium is also going into a more ethnic-sensitive mapping of market demographics. Clinical-efficacy trials are done in different countries, in collaboration with local partners, to ensure a product's suitability for specific markets. M Grace Roxas

The Farm wins Asian award

The Farm at San Benito in Lipa City, Batangas, has won the second AsiaSpa Baccarat Awards, considered the Oscars of the booming industry in Asia, in what is hailed as a boost to the country's medical-spa tourism.

    In a recent black- and red-themed cocktail event at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, the Farm came out on top, receiving the awards, Medi-Spa of the Year and Spa Cuisine of the Year, bringing to 10 its total Asian awards so far.

    Health resort president Perla Espino Rempe accepted two glass-sculptured Baccarat trophies for The Farm.

    She acknowledged a first award in the Medi-Spa category as "a well-deserved" one, but the other award for spa cuisine was "a sweet victory" for The Farm's vegetarian food philosophy. "What we thought to be our (marketing) weakness has now turned out to be our strength," she said in her acceptance speech.

    The selection by a panel of 26 Asia-based spa experts headed by AsiaSpa magazine editor Catharine Nicol and chief executive officer Olivier Burlot gave local entrepreneurs an indication of where the lucrative wellness market is heading.

    Over 180 spa-industry VIPs, nominated spa representatives, and personalities attended the awards night.

    This year's awards were dominated by Asia's spa destinations, with India, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, the Maldives, Thailand, China, Malaysia, and Hong Kong all winning awards.

    The big brands and hotel chains did well in other categories. Four Seasons Resorts and Spas received the Exterior Design of the Year and Marketing of the Year for their resort in Langkawi, Malaysia. Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts collected Spa Treatment of the Year for their Himalayan Healing Stone Massage and Interior Design of the Year for their resort in Pudong, China.

    Some surprises included Day Spa of the Year going to Kirana Spa in Bali and Spa Capital of the year moving from Bali to the Maldives. M

Richmonde's medical-tourism treat

"If you have nine million Filipinos outside the country, you put a zero at the back of the number and you have a PhP90-million market," reported Ansel Cañete of Able Leader Management Ltd., a Hong Kong-based health-care management and solutions firm. "We have the capacity to really focus on medical tourism because we have so many Filipinos outside the country, unlike other countries."

    Richmonde Hotel, a deluxe business traveler's destination in Ortigas Center, recently partnered with the firm to introduce a medical-tourism program that offers a wide array of aesthetic as well as therapeutic surgical procedures and wellness packages.

    Cañete noted that the world leader in medical tourism, India, also has one of the highest expatriate populations in the world. Ninety million Indians outside India seek treatment in their homeland. He said: "The whole idea of medical tourism is to also lure back Filipino Americans, Filipino British, and other nationalities."

    While primarily targeting overseas Filipinos, the program also seeks to lure foreigners through competitively priced services for plastic/cosmetic surgery; cosmetic dental, dermatologic, ophthalmologic, and orthopedic procedures; weight management; fertility treatment; and even kidney transplantation.

    A pool of local medical specialists will oversee the different procedures, which will be conducted in different medical centers and clinics easily accessible to and from Richmonde. These include St. Luke's Medical Center, Capitol Medical Center, and specialty clinics in Quezon City and Marikina.

    Under the program, Richmonde offers hotel accommodations for three days and two nights, with one rejuvenating Shiatzu or Swedish massage per stay, daily buffet breakfast, and one-way drop-off to the medical facility. Contingency measures are also being put in place for adverse events in terms of medical insurance, courier service, and assistance with immigration and embassy matters.

    Richmonde Hotel managing director Carmen Fernando said medical tourism has become more than a trend; it has become a necessity. During a special launch for travel agencies, she invited the hotel's industry partners to promote the program, "which will not only promote Philippine tourism but the image of the country as a medical destination."

    Able Management medical director Michelle Dado noted that affordability is a major issue in medical tourism and medical services in general. She explained: "It took us a whole year to perfect the package, and now, we are ready to offer people a set of medical procedures without the burden of high credit-card bills or large cash payments."

    Dado added that medical tourists will also benefit from the world-class skills and nurturing of Filipino physicians. "Not only can the country boast of beautiful destinations, Filipino doctors are known for their surgical expertise that [is] at par with [that of] their western counterparts," she said. "We'd also like to stress that what makes them stand out is their personal approach to patient care, assuring feelings of comfort, security, and satisfaction. Our doctors have the heart."

    In offering services that go beyond the aesthetic, a procedure like renal transplant in particular, Dado said that the program wishes to address a very high global demand. "There's a long line of people around the world who are waiting for kidney donors and there are very few institutions with the capability to respond."

    They are partnering with the Kidney Foundation of the Philippines to offer a win-win deal with interested kidney donors. Dado said: "Not only will we help our fellowmen who need the money through compensation for the kidney donation, the Foundation will also conduct follow-ups with them in terms of helping them with their livelihood afterwards." M Grace Roxas

Medical tourism a shot in RP arm

The Philippines earned an estimated US$200 million this year from foreign patients seeking affordable medical services. A quarter million people flew into the country this year for cosmetic surgery, eye treatment, or get their dentures fixed, said Health undersecretary Jade del Mundo.

    It is the first year of government efforts to promote the Southeast Asian nation as a medical-tourism site. The program seeks to offer the Philippines as a destination for health care and tourism where patients can go for rest and recreation while recuperating.

    Low prices of health services and treatment are the main attractions of the Philippines, she said. A ceramic denture for instance can be had for about US$1,000 compared with US$8,000 in the United States.

    Del Mundo said the government expected medical tourism turnover to be between US$300 million and US$400 million next year, out of a global health-care market valued at some US$3 trillion. She said the Philippines now ranked just fifth in the business in Asia, with the field dominated by Thailand, India, Malaysia, and Singapore in that order.

    Del Mundo said the government planned to ramp up the business by accrediting more quality hospitals and health-care facilities and banking on Filipinos' "unique" hospitality in taking care of patients. M AFP

Court rejects class suit v. Vioxx

NEW YORK

In a major victory for Merck, a United States federal judge refused to allow a class-action lawsuit to proceed against the drug firm for health problems linked to Vioxx. Judge Eldon Fallon, asked by an interstate judicial panel to consider how to handle the thousands of lawsuits filed over Vioxx, said the cases did not meet the criteria for a national class-action suit, where one court would hear the case for all plaintiffs.

    "While the majority of plaintiffs in this case allegedly suffered either a heart attack or stroke as a result of ingesting Vioxx, the extent of each plaintiff's subsequent injuries varies widely," he said in a 25-page decision issued on November 22. "In addition, the plaintiffs allege as part of their claims for compensatory damages emotional and other intangible injuries."

    Plaintiffs had asked the cases to be consolidated in a single trial that would be heard in state court in New Jersey, where Merck has its headquarters. But Fallon said this was inconsistent with judicial precedent.

    "The court finds that each plaintiff's home jurisdiction has a stronger interest in deterring foreign corporations from personally injuring its citizens and ensuring that its citizens are compensated than New Jersey does in deterring its corporate citizens' wrongdoing," he wrote. "It is highly unlikely that a plaintiff residing outside of New Jersey could have reasonably expected that his or her personal injury claims would be governed by New Jersey law."

    The ruling means plaintiffs must pursue their claims on a case-by-case basis. Merck has won five and lost four cases.

    Merck's lawyer expressed satisfaction over the latest decision. "We are pleased by [the] order because it reaffirms our view that every case is different and should be tried individually," said Ted Mayer of Hughes, Hubbard and Reed, Merck's counsel. "Each plaintiff used the medicine for different lengths of time, took different doses, has a different medical history, and had a different prescribing doctor who made an individual medical judgment based on the information available to that doctor at a particular point in time." M AFP

Abbott buys Kos for US$3.7-B

NEW YORK

Abbott Laboratories said it was acquiring Kos Pharmaceuticals Inc. for US$3.7 billion (US$78 per share) to add cholesterol treatments to its business. "Kos Pharmaceuticals is an excellent strategic fit for Abbott, both scientifically and commercially," Abbott chief executive Miles White said. "This acquisition expands Abbott's presence in the lipid management market and will provide several on-market and late-stage pipeline products," he said.

    Kos's two main drugs are Niaspan, a tablet that raises "good" levels of cholesterol, and another cholesterol treatment called Advicor. Such treatments are turning into blockbusters for drug companies as wealthier countries tackle rising levels of obesity. M AFP

medical judgment based on the information available to that doctor at a particular point in time." M AFP

Takeda reports record profits

TOKYO

Japan's largest drugmaker Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. said its half-fiscal-year operating profit rose almost 10 percent to a record high led by brisk sales of its flagship drugs and a weak yen. The company also upgraded its full-year outlook with a forecast for an all-time high operating profit-a substantial improvement on its prediction in May of the first decline in earnings in 15 years.

    Takeda posted a 9.7-percent rise in operating profit to US$2.0 billion from April to September. Revenue rose 7.1 percent year-on-year to an all-time high of US$5.4 billion, led by a 44.8-percent gain in global sales of pioglitazone (Actos). Sales of candesartan (Blopress) rose 8.3 percent.

    "Prescription-drug sales for such drugs as Actos and Blopress expanded rather briskly, allowing us to absorb the rising cost of research and development," said Yasuchika Hasegawa, Takeda president.

    However, net profit fell 12.2 percent from a year earlier to US$1.3 billion yen, the first fall in eight years, after Japanese authorities ordered the company to pay additional taxes.

    For the year to March 2007, Takeda now forecasts record sales of US$11 billion and an all-time high operating profit of US$3.6 billion. Takeda had said in May it expected to post an operating profit of US$3.3 billion for this fiscal year-down from US$3.4 billion the year before-because of increased research and development expenditure. M AFP

Lilly to absorb biotech firm

NEW YORK

Eli Lilly and Co. has struck a deal to acquire biotech group ICOS Corp., thereby getting full rights to the blockbuster erectile-dysfunction drug Cialis. The deal calls for Lilly, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, to acquire all of the outstanding shares of ICOS for US$32 per share or some US$2.1 billion.

    The two companies have been partners since 1998 in a joint venture that manufactures, markets and sells Cialis, a drug that has challenged and in some markets overtaken Viagra for erectile dysfunction.

    "We are pleased to bring the full value of Cialis to Lilly and to continue providing the benefits of Cialis to men suffering from erectile dysfunction," said Sidney Taurel, Lilly chief executive officer. "With full ownership of Cialis, we will be able to realize operational efficiencies in the further development, marketing and selling of this important product. We expect this acquisition will increase the company's earnings and earnings growth rate beginning in 2008."

    Cialis is available in more than 100 countries and is the sales leader in many of them, including France and Brazil, and has captured more than 25 percent of the US erectile-dysfunction market. Cialis generated worldwide sales of US$456 million in the first six months of 2006, up 34 percent over the first half of 2005. Cialis is expected to surpass US$1 billion in worldwide sales next year. Lilly says Cialis is better than rival drugs because its effects last longer. In Europe, Cialis has earned the nickname the "weekend" pill because it is effective for up to 36 hours. M AFP