Physicians providing EVOLENCE were notified today that the porcine collagen wrinkle filler is being discontinued, at least until further notice. Effective immediately, marketing and manufacturing of the drug will cease, according to the official website.
Although the wrinkle filler could resume a position in the market under new ownership, no such plans are being made public. Patients who have received treatment with Evolence will continue to receive support regarding medical inquiries or reporting of adverse reactions.
Along with the discontinuation announcement, manufacturer Ortho Dermatologics maintains that Evolence is still an effective treatment with a “favorable safety profile.”
Market May Be to Blame
Although Evolence had been used in other countries as far back as 2004, its U.S. market presence has been relatively short-lived, with FDA approval being granted just last year.
With its advanced, yet natural composition, optimism surrounded Evolence from the beginning . It was seen as radically different than the dominant hyaluronic acid offerings on the market, touting all the benefits of the old collagen fillers, with longer lasting results and no allergy test required.
However, some experts predicted a struggle for the animal-based collagen filler early on. In 2008, the Wall Street Journal quoted J&J consultant Kenneth Beer saying, “they couldn’t have picked a worse time [to enter the cosmetics market.]” Others expressed concern about the drug’s source: “Porcine products historically haven’t done well, and many people prefer lab-grown products,” said analyst Ronny Gal in a 2008 report.
If you have received treatment with Evolence at any of our Minneapolis/St. Paul locations, contact us to learn about comparable alternatives that can meet your needs in the future.
