Dr. Adam Schaffner

GLG News^SM Analyses by Adam Schaffner

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Bold Contest for a Daunting Problem

October 27, 2008

Analysis of:WellPoint, X Prize launch $10M health care contest | news.yahoo.com

Most people agree that the healthcare system in the United States is in need of a complete overhaul.  Unfortunately, the many competing interests in the current system make such overhaul extremely challenging.  This contest certainly provides much incentive for the best and brightest to put forth their ideas on how to improve the system.  Overcoming the obstacles to implenting such ideas will potentially be the biggest challenge of all.  Therefore, I believe the answer to the question "Will it work?" will only come when the healthcare system reaches the same critical threshold that our financial markets recently met.

Evolence: Will this New "Advanced" Collagen Filler Take Hold?

July 8, 2008

Analysis of:FDA Approves EVOLENCE®, a New Generation Collagen-Based Facial Filler | www.investor.jnj.com

Evolence is an injectable filler material that is made by an "advanced collagen GLYMATRIX™ Technology."  Collagen has generally fallen out of favor amongst aesthetic physicians due to its short duration of action.  Evolence will have to demonstrate that it is superior to the plethora of other injectable filler materials currently available to gain market share.  To do so will not only require clinical efficacy, it will also require a tremendous marketing effort to penetrate a market where there is no shortage of injectable filler materials from which to choose.

Allergan and Aczone: Likely a Winning Combination

June 26, 2008

Analysis of:Allergan Aquisition of Aczone | agn360.client.shareholder.com

Allergan has a strong infrastructure to support dermatologic and aesthetic products.  Aczone, an aqueous topical gel containing 5% dapsone, will be a new product which will help treat patients with acne.  "The strength of topical dapsone gel appears to be its high efficacy against inflammatory acne lesions.  Both rapid onset of action and tolerability make this agent a potentially nice complement to traditional antimicrobial and comedolytic acne regimens." (Draelos ZD, Carter E, Maloney JM, et al, J Am Acad Dermatol. 2007;56:439.e1-e10.)  Based on the study results available, it appears Aczone will provide an additional treatment option which will benefit patients.  Given the number of patients afflicted with acne, I believe Allergan will ultimately view this as a favorable acquisition.

Obesity: Higher Healthcare Costs, Lower Productivity

June 26, 2008

Analysis of:Obesity costs employers $45 bil a year | www.nytimes.com

There is no revelation in stating that obese people move slower or have more health problems compared to skinny people.  High blood pressure and diabetes are commonly associated with obesity.  Morbidly obese people may have difficulty sitting in a single coach airplane seat, fitting through a doorway, or bending over to pick up an item.  Such obesity is associated with higher healthcare costs, more time away from work, and lower productivity when compared to people who are not obese.  In short, obese Americans need to lose weight to improve their waistline and the bottom line.

Hair Removal: An Expanding Market

June 23, 2008

Analysis of:Zapping Teenage Torment | www.nytimes.com

Hair used to be something we all accepted.  Now, unwanted hair is viewed as unacceptable.  The market for hair removal is almost endless.  Men want hair removed from the nostrils, neck, back, and chest.  Women want hair removed from the upper lip, chin, sideburns, arms, legs, and bikini area.  Treatment options are as varied as the types and colors of hair that exist.  Patients will subject themselves to many different treatments, including shaving, plucking, bleaching, waxing, threading, lasers, intense pulsed light, electrolysis, and medications.  Recently, lasers have become more popular due to their effectiveness in achieving the goal of permanent hair removal.  However, their use is not without risk.  Patients can get burned or lose skin pigment.  Therefore, such treatments should only be administered by licensed healthcare professionals with proper training and experience. 

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