Allergan Acquires Soliton Following Launch of RAP Device

On the cusp of Soliton’s announcement launching RESONIC¹, a Rapid Acoustic Pulse (RAP) device, Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie company, announced its plan to expand its body contouring portfolio by acquiring Soliton and RESONIC for $550 million.²

“This is an exciting day for Soliton and the RESONIC brand,” said Brad Hauser, president and CEO, Soliton. “It’s been a long time in the making and we’re excited to finally bring this innovative and efficacious solution to procedures that have had historically low patient satisfaction or required numerous treatment sessions to achieve expected results.”

Carrie Strom, president of Global Allergan Aesthetics and senior vice president of AbbVie, added, "Soliton's technology offers a new, completely noninvasive approach with clinically proven results to reduce the appearance of cellulite with no patient downtime. The addition of this technology complements Allergan Aesthetics’ portfolio of body contouring treatments. Health care providers will now have another option to address consumers' aesthetic concerns."

This year, the FDA gave RESONIC 501k clearance as an accessory to the 1064 nm Q-Switched laser for black ink tattoo removal in patients with Fitzpatrick skin types I-III in 2020³ and for short-term improvement in the appearance of cellulite in the buttocks and thighs.⁴

The RAP device utilizes a rapid pulse of acoustics to break apart the fibrous septa band underneath the skin that causes cellulite, as well as removal tattoos. The device is also currently being investigated for treatment of fibrotic scars.

“RESONIC revolutionizes the industry’s approach to two notoriously challenging patient needs. The technology’s ability to physically change targeted cellular structures without breaking the skin is game changing,” said Elizabeth Tanzi, MD, member of Soliton’s Scientific Advisory Board. “Clinical trial results for both RESONIC procedures showed significant results with accelerated treatment timelines, which I believe will result in higher patient satisfaction and will minimize common barriers to entry that exist for tattoo removal and cellulite reduction.”

According to the Soliton, it plans on making the device available to physicians and medspas in June 2021.¹ 

References:

1. Introducing RESONIC™. BioSpace. May 5, 2021. Accessed May 11, 2021. https://www.biospace.com/article/introducing-resonic-/
2. Allergan aesthetics to acquire soliton, expanding body contouring portfolio | AbbVie news center. May 10, 2021. Accessed May 11, 2021. https://news.abbvie.com/news/press-releases/allergan-aesthetics-to-acquire-soliton-expanding-body-contouring-portfolio.htm?view_id=5591
3. Petronelli M. Soliton’s Generation II tattoo-removal device receives 510(k) premarket notification. Dermatology Times. Published online March 11, 2020. Accessed May 11, 2021. https://www.dermatologytimes.com/view/solitons-tattoo-removal-device-receives-510k-premarket-notification
4. Petronelli M. FDA Clears Soliton’s RAP Device for Cellulite. Dermatology Times. Published online February 2, 2021. Accessed May 11, 2021. https://www.dermatologytimes.com/view/fda-clears-soliton-s-rap-device-for-cellulite