Mentor also manufactures breast implants and other medical devices.
Up to now, Allergan largely has had the wrinkle remover market to itself. But more competitors are on the way. Scottsdale-based Medicis Pharmaceutical Corp. and France’s Ipsen SA are awaiting a Food and Drug Administration decision on wrinkle remover Reloxin.
Johnson & Johnson recently received approval for Evolence, an injectable collagen lower-face wrinkle treatment that competes with Allergan’s Juvederm.
Allergan has yearly sales of $4.4 billion. About half of the company’s sales come from wrinkle removers, breast implants and a surgical device to treat obesity.
"The addition of Mentor, a market-leader and one of the most respected companies in the aesthetic space, expands our capacity to provide physicians with products that can restore patients' appearance, self-esteem and quality of life," said Alex Gorsky, company group chairman for Johnson & Johnson with responsibility for the Ethicon business worldwide. "Ethicon is a company that is committed to bringing evidence-based medicine and the highest standards of quality to the aesthetic and reconstructive medical device category. Mentor also shares that commitment to science, health and wellness."More info: www.jnj.com