Palomar, Gillette Move Forward With Home-Use Hair Removal

Palomar Medical Technologies Inc. of Burlington, Mass., and The Gillette Co. have expanded a joint development program that began on Feb. 14, 2003, to develop another light-based hair-removal device for home use by women. Palomar has spent a decade working on a home-use, light-based hair removal device under the collaboration; in December, the FDA approved the original product to be marketed and sold to consumers without a prescription. The additional device may be used alone or in conjunction with the device specified in the original agreement, a Palomar spokesperson said. Gillette will provide Palomar with payments of approximately $1.2 million and an additional $300,000 for the first phase of development. Gillette has 12 months to conduct a commercial assessment test, after which it will be required to make a product-launch decision. The timing or cost for the products has not been publicly announced. Palomar said that if Gillette decides to move forward with the launch, Gillette will determine its timing, price, manufacturing and distribution.