Solta Medical, (FRA:NZ5) Quality Rank

Solta Medical, Inc. was incorporated in California on January 11, 1996 as Thermage, Inc. and reincorporated in Delaware on September 10, 2001. It designs, develops, manufactures and markets energy-based medical device systems for aesthetic applications. The Company markets its systems and treatment tips in the United States to physician practices primarily through a direct sales force and internationally in over 100 countries through both a network of distributors and direct sales force. Its customers consist mainly of dermatologists and plastic surgeons and its expanded customer base includes other specialties such as general and family practitioners, gynecologists, ophthalmologists and others. These systems are marketed under the brand names Fraxel and Thermage. It currently markets four Fraxel products: The re:store, re:store Dual, re:fine and re:pair. The Fraxel re:store, Fraxel re:store Dual and Fraxel re:fine laser platforms non-ablatively treat a range of applications that include wrinkles and fine lines, pigmentation, sun damage, uneven skin texture and melasma. The Company's Thermage systems consist of a radiofrequency (RF) generator with cooling capability, through the delivery of a coolant to protect the outer layer of the skin from over-heating, and a hand piece that, in conjunction with a treatment tip, regulates epidermis cooling and monitors treatment data. Its system includes a variety of single-use, disposable treatment tips that attach to the hand piece and are selected by physicians based on the procedure to be performed and the size of the area to be treated. The Company sells its Thermage and Fraxel systems to physicians in the United States primarily through a direct sales force of trained sales consultants. Its industry is subject to intense competition. It compete directly against laser and light-based skin rejuvenation products and procedures offered by companies such as Alma Laser, Cutera, Cynosure, Lumenis, Lutronic, Palomar Medical Technologies, Sciton and Syneron Medical. In addition, it compete against existing and emerging treatment alternatives such as cosmetic surgery, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, Botox, dermal fillers and collagen injections. The Company's Thermage and Fraxel systems are medical devices and are subject to extensive and rigorous regulation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as other federal and state regulatory bodies in the United States and laws and regulations of foreign authorities in other countries.