Anaheim-based BioPhotas Inc., a company looking to grow its presence in the biophotonics industry—a sector that combines biology and photonics—is expanding its product lines, consumer offerings, and global reach.
The device maker recently announced a slew of growth initiatives, including a product line extension to its therapeutic LED light therapy product offerings.
The four new products include devices intended for professionals and consumers, ranging from aesthetic treatment and acne management to pain management.
The device maker was founded in 2011 and says its products are based on NASA-developed technology, which uses infrared light energy to treat a wide range of musculoskeletal and skin conditions.
It has nine FDA-cleared indications—three in skin care and six in pain management.
This month, the company also announced the commercial introduction of one of those offerings, a product called Celluma Home.
The light therapy device is being offered for $599, and “specifically addresses the challenges of baby boomers who struggle with wrinkles, aches and pain,” the company said in a statement.
BioPhotas recently announced the opening of sales offices in London, and the launch of a new website.
“We see the international markets are ripe for growth, particularly in Europe, given that the Celluma series is Medical CE-marked and the only LED product of its kind approved by the European medical device authorities to be used as a dermal wound healing device,” according to Chief Executive Patrick Johnson in a company press release.
Drug Review
Biotech Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: SPPI), whose administrative and research and development facility is based in Irvine, has submitted its late-stage drug Rolontis for Food and Drug Administration approval.
Rolontis—a potential treatment for chemotherapy-induced low white blood cell count—is one of three late-stage drugs that the company had under development as of mid-2017.
Supporting data for the FDA review came from two third-phase clinical trials evaluating the drug safety and efficacy in 643 early-stage breast cancer patients.
Chief Executive Joe Turgeon, who took over the top spot at the Hendersonville, Nev.-based company about a year ago, said in a press release the drug is “an important and significant future growth driver for our company.”
Spectrum has commercial and drug development operations with a primary focus in hematology and oncology. Its Irvine operations run a little more than 50,000 square feet, while its Nevada headquarters are 12,000 square feet, according to regulatory filings.
The company employed about 270 people as of mid-2017 and has a market value of about $1 billion.
Easy Choice CMO
Cypress-based Easy Choice Health Plan Inc., a Tampa, Fla.-based WellCare Health Plans Inc. (NYSE: WCG) company, appointed Dr. Teri Rhetta as chief medical officer in California.
She will work with independent practice associations to help drive clinical outcomes while managing medical and behavioral health integration, as well as oversee the quality, behavioral and medical analytics team.
Rhetta is the first chief medical officer for Easy Choice, according to a company spokesperson.
The local health plan serves about 131,000 members in Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties.
She reports to Karen Johnson, regional president of Easy Choice’s Medicare West division.
Prior to joining the insurer, Rhetta practiced medicine at Loma Linda University Medical Center, Riverside County Regional Medical Center and Loma Linda Murrieta. She was most recently medical director of health services at Inland Empire Health Plan, which supports more than 1.2 million Medi-Cal and Medicare patients.
WellCare, which began in 1985, provides managed care health plans primarily through the Medicare and Medicaid programs. It has about an $11.7 billion market cap.
