A Medical Device Daily

CLRS Technology (Costa Mesa, California) reported a series of corporate milestones in anticipation of FDA clearance for Claro, its at-home acne treatment device. Developments include the appointment of a senior marketing executive, the start of a clinical study, and the receipt of a design patent.

"It's an incredibly exciting time at CLRS Technology as we put all the pieces in place to succeed in bringing our flagship product launch to life," said Richard Oberreiter, CEO and founder. "As we await FDA clearance for Claro, we are energized by the level of interest and support from the financial and medical community. We have the right team in place to make Claro a success within one of the fastest growing categories of the aesthetic industry."

CLRS said it is poised to enter the $255 million home device category with Claro, a hand-held Intense Pulse Light (IPL) system based on the same technology used by dermatologists. The device will be the first in a series of hand-held tools designed to provide professional-based solutions for common skin and allergy conditions.

CLRS noted that the category is expected to grow to $1 billion in retail sales by 2012 with major companies setting the pace, including Palomar with Gillette, Syneron and Procter & Gamble, and Light BioScience with L'Oreal.

"We see tremendous opportunity entering this market with a unique acne treatment device that fulfills a consumer need for science-based technology that's safe, convenient and effective," said James Kraushaar, chairman and founder. "Chronic acne can damage self-esteem in teens and adults, and current solutions fall short in providing immediate relief. We believe Claro will improve the quality of life for sufferers of mild to moderate acne."

FDA clearance for Claro is expected this summer, the company said, and prescription sales are expected to start in August at dermatologists and family practitioners.

CLRS reported the appointment of James Pereyra as chief marketing officer.

The company also reported the beginning of a clinical study for Claro designed to evaluate the product's efficacy in resolving acne lesions at 24, 28 and 120 hours. Ronald Moy, MD, chief of dermatologic surgery at the University of California, Los Angeles, will lead the study.

Also this month, CLRS said it was awarded a design patent for Claro that covers components of its industrial design and ergonomic features. The company noted that it also has multiple pending patents relating to its technology platform.

CLRS makes consumer hand-held medical devices intended to deliver at-home solutions for common skin and allergy problems that were previously only available at a medical or aesthetic professional's office.