June 18, 2009 (FinancialWire) — Medicis Pharmaceutical Corp. (NYSE: MRX) announced that Health Canada has issued a medical device license authorizing the sale of the Liposonix System Model 1 in Canada.

The Liposonix system is designed to utilize high intensity focused ultrasound energy to reduce subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue in the treatment zone to provide a non-invasive, non-surgical approach to body contouring. The company plans for the Liposonix system to be marketed in Canada by Medicis Aesthetics Canada.

The Liposonix system is designed to focus high intensity ultrasound to cause permanent disruption, or ablation, of subcutaneous adipose tissue in the anterior abdomen without damaging the epidermis, dermis or underlying tissues and organs. A custom-designed ultrasound transducer delivers energy across the skin surface at a relatively low intensity, and brings this energy to a high intensity focus at precise depths in the targeted subcutaneous adipose tissue, causing thermal coagulation of the adipose tissue within the focal zone of the ultrasound beam.

Large white blood cells, or macrophage cells, are attracted to the treated area, engulfing and transporting the damaged tissue and lipids through the lymphatic system to the liver, where the lipids are processed by the body’s normal biochemical pathways. The damaged tissue in the treated area is resorbed over a period of several weeks, which can yield an aesthetic body contouring effect.

In clinical studies to date, a single Liposonix treatment of approximately one hour duration resulted in an average 2.8 cm reduction in waistline circumference.(1) Results were typically seen in 8 to 12 weeks.(1) Individual results may vary.

The Liposonix technology was developed over a period of nine years by leading engineers, ultrasound experts and physicians with more than 200 years of combined experience in ultrasound technology. Medicis holds and has pending numerous patents in the U.S. and worldwide related to the licensed Liposonix system and technology. The Liposonix system is in full compliance with both the European Union Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive and the EU Low Voltage Directive, CE marked accordingly and is currently marketed through distributors in member states of the EU.

The Liposonix system is not cleared for sale in the United States.

The Liposonix treatment is not intended as a replacement for liposuction, but as an alternative body contouring procedure that may appeal to a much broader audience due to its non-invasive nature.

Medicis Aesthetics Canada anticipates launching the Liposonix system in Canada in the second half of 2009, which is in line with the company’s original expectations and most recent guidance.

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