Wontech’s laser medical device, Velastar, has received certification from Japan’s Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA), paving the way for official marketing and sales in the country. As global sales surge, the company aims to position the Japanese market as a key driver of growth.
Wontech announced on Thursday that it has secured PMDA certification for its Nd:YAG laser medical device, Velastar.
Japan is renowned for its rigorous medical device approval process. Some foreign aesthetic equipment enters the market through personal imports by medical professionals, bypassing formal certification. This has made it difficult for manufacturers to conduct direct marketing or advertising locally. With this new certification, Wontech plans to ramp up its official marketing and sales efforts for Velastar in Japan.
Velastar is an upgraded version of Wontech’s existing V-Laser product. It features dual wavelengths of 532 and 1064 nanometers, offering three treatment modes, including the Genesis mode. A key advantage is its ability to adjust output and irradiation methods based on skin condition and treatment objectives.
Global sales are showing robust growth. Wontech reports that worldwide sales of Velastar have grown at an average annual rate of 30.5% from 2017 through September of this year. Over the past nine years, sales volume has increased elevenfold. Last year saw a 45% jump in sales compared to the previous year, while the first nine months of this year have already registered a 69.6% year-over-year increase.
Wontech’s strategy is to leverage the clinical experiences and sales performance of Velastar, accumulated both domestically and internationally, to penetrate the Japanese market.
The company sees the growing Japanese interest in Korean skincare treatments as a favorable backdrop for market expansion. The Korea Health Industry Development Institute reports that about 400,000 Japanese patients visited Korean dermatology clinics last year, constituting a significant portion of all foreign dermatology patients.
Wontech plans to boost product awareness among Japanese medical professionals while emphasizing the device’s official certification to drive sales growth.
A Wontech spokesperson stated that Velastar’s PMDA certification marks our official entry into the Japanese market. It will leverage the accumulated clinical and sales experience from both domestic and international markets to expand the local marketing and sales efforts, aiming to broaden the market presence.
Meanwhile, Wontech continues to strengthen its foothold in major Asian markets, maintaining steady revenue growth. This year, the company is set to launch a global brand event called Wave across key Asian countries, including Japan and China. This initiative aims to foster stronger connections with local medical professionals and consumers, while enhancing brand trust through premium positioning of its Oligio product.
