Obagi Medical and Alpha Aesthetic Partners Announce Their Collaboration in the ALOHA Program to Drive Real-World Evidence with Obagi® saypha® MagIQ™

Rhea-AI Summary

Waldencast (NASDAQ: WALD) brands Obagi Medical and Alpha Aesthetics Partners launched the ALOHA Program to generate real-world evidence for Obagi® saypha® MagIQ™, Obagi’s first FDA‑approved injectable hyaluronic acid filler. Alpha, selected as the ALOHA launch partner, will run a structured, multi-site evaluation across its network (31 locations in 12 states) with standardized data collection. Initial findings will be presented at the upcoming Alpha Summit and shared at industry conferences. The program focuses on clinical performance, patient experience, and integrating Obagi protocols to support providers and consistent outcomes.

Positive

• Obagi saypha MagIQ is FDA‑approved injectable hyaluronic acid
• Structured, multi‑site real‑world evaluation across Alpha’s network
• Alpha network spans 31 locations in 12 states
• Initial findings scheduled for presentation at the Alpha Summit

Negative

• No quantitative real‑world results or clinical outcomes published yet
• Press release discloses no financial impact or commercial terms

News Market Reaction – WALD

-4.57%

8 alerts

-4.57% News Effect

-9.3% Trough in 23 hr 41 min

-$10M Valuation Impact

$213M Market Cap

0.5x Rel. Volume

On the day this news was published, WALD declined 4.57%, reflecting a moderate negative market reaction. Argus tracked a trough of -9.3% from its starting point during tracking. Our momentum scanner triggered 8 alerts that day, indicating moderate trading interest and price volatility. This price movement removed approximately $10M from the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $213M at that time.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Key Figures

Industry experience: 35+ years Alpha founding year: 2023 Practice locations: 31 locations +5 more

8 metrics

Industry experience 35+ years Obagi Medical legacy in advanced skincare

Alpha founding year 2023 Alpha Aesthetics Partners founded

Practice locations 31 locations Alpha Aesthetics Partners network size

States covered 12 states Geographic reach of Alpha Aesthetics Partners

Top 10 ranking Top 10 Among professional skin care brands in the U.S. in 2024

Year cited 2024 Kline’s Global Professional Skin Care Series reference year

Journal volume 11(7):487 Gels 2025 article citation for HA filler technologies

ALOHA findings timing initial findings Scheduled presentation at upcoming Alpha Summit

Market Reality Check

Price: $1.72 Vol: Volume 47,867 is below th...

normal vol

$1.72 Last Close

Volume Volume 47,867 is below the 20-day average of 61,070 (relative volume 0.78). normal

Technical Shares at $1.75 are trading below the 200-day moving average of $2.13 and 57.32% under the 52-week high of $4.10.

Peers on Argus

WALD gained 0.57% while peers were mixed: EWCZ up 0.77%, ACU down 4.43%, DSY dow...

WALD gained 0.57% while peers were mixed: EWCZ up 0.77%, ACU down 4.43%, DSY down 2.99%, GROV flat, SKIN down 0.65%. Movements do not indicate a coordinated sector move.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jan 21 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Jan 21	Program launch news	Positive	+6.9%	Launch of ALOHA program for Obagi® saypha® MagIQ™ real-world evaluation.
Nov 24	Earnings and update	Negative	-6.5%	Q2/H1 2025 results with large impairments and mixed brand performance.
Nov 16	Clinical data update	Positive	+4.2%	Positive clinical data on Obagi HA injectables and Nu-Cil Scalp Serum.
Nov 14	Balance sheet actions	Positive	+0.0%	Sale of Japan trademark and new term loan facility to strengthen balance sheet.
Nov 12	Earnings date notice	Neutral	+0.0%	Announcement of upcoming Q2 and Q3 2025 earnings release dates.

Pattern Detected

Recent news, including product and clinical updates plus mixed financials, has mostly seen price moves aligned with the underlying news tone.

Recent Company History

Over the past months, WALD has focused on Obagi’s injectable fillers and balance sheet actions. The Jan 21, 2026 ALOHA launch for Obagi® saypha® MagIQ™ coincided with a 6.92% gain. Clinical data shared on Nov 16, 2025 for Obagi injectables and Nu-Cil Scalp Serum also aligned with a positive move. In contrast, Q2/H1 2025 results on Nov 24, 2025 highlighted significant impairments and were followed by a ‑6.49% reaction. The current ALOHA collaboration update extends this product rollout narrative.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement expands the ALOHA program by adding Alpha Aesthetic Partners as a launch collabora...

Analysis

This announcement expands the ALOHA program by adding Alpha Aesthetic Partners as a launch collaborator, deepening real-world evaluation of Obagi® saypha® MagIQ™ across 31 locations in 12 states. It builds on prior FDA approval of Obagi’s injectable filler and emphasizes structured data collection on clinical performance and patient experience. In context of earlier clinical and financial updates, key watch points include how real-world evidence supports adoption, Obagi’s growth within WALD, and future disclosures from upcoming summit and conference presentations.

Key Terms

hyaluronic acid, real-world evidence, injectable, fda-approved, +2 more

6 terms

hyaluronic acid medical

"Obagi’s first FDA-approved injectable hyaluronic acid filler into diverse clinical environments."

A naturally occurring molecule that acts like a tiny sponge, holding water in skin, joints and eyes to keep tissues plump and lubricated. Investors track products containing hyaluronic acid because they power large markets—such as skincare, injectable fillers, eye drops and wound treatments—so demand, regulatory approvals, manufacturing capacity and raw-material costs can meaningfully affect a company’s sales and profit outlook.

real-world evidence medical

"to generate real-world evidence demonstrating the value of integrating Obagi’s first FDA-approved injectable"

Real-world evidence is information gathered from everyday sources like patient records, insurance claims, or everyday experiences, rather than controlled experiments or clinical trials. It helps investors understand how products or policies perform in real life, providing a more complete picture of their effectiveness and value beyond official tests. This type of evidence can influence decision-making by offering insights based on actual, everyday outcomes.

injectable medical

"introducing a new injectable across a leading network of aesthetic practices."

A product described as an "injectable" is a medicine or vaccine formulated to be given by needle, syringe, or infusion rather than taken by mouth. For investors it matters because injectables often require specialized manufacturing, cold storage and trained staff to administer, which can raise costs, create supply-chain risks and form higher barriers to competitors—factors that influence a product’s price, market reach and long-term revenue potential.

fda-approved regulatory

"integrating Obagi’s first FDA-approved injectable hyaluronic acid filler into diverse clinical environments."

FDA-approved means a medical product, drug, device or treatment has passed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s review for safety and effectiveness for a specific use. Think of it like a formal safety and performance seal that allows the product to be marketed for that purpose in the U.S.; for investors, approval reduces regulatory uncertainty, enables sales and reimbursement pathways, and can materially affect a company’s revenue prospects and valuation.

injection force medical

"consistent gel distribution, and a predictable injection force and swelling profile"

Injection force is the amount of push needed to depress a syringe or drug-delivery device and deliver a dose, measured so devices give medication smoothly and reliably. For investors, it matters because lower, consistent injection force improves patient comfort, reduces user errors and device returns, and can affect regulatory approval, market adoption and manufacturing costs—similar to how an easy-open bottle cap sells better than a stubborn one.

portfolio company financial

"The company is a portfolio company of Thurston Group, with a rapidly growing presence"

A portfolio company is a business in which an investor or investment fund has made a significant stake or owns outright, much like an item in a shopper’s basket represents part of that shopper’s spending. Its performance directly affects the investor’s returns and risk profile, so changes in the company’s revenue, profits, management or prospects can raise or lower the value of the investor’s holdings and influence decisions about selling, holding or providing additional support.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

Alpha selected as the first Medspa platform partner given their commitment to innovation, education, and breaking through barriers

NEW YORK and SACRAMENTO, Calif., Jan. 27, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Obagi Medical, a leading innovator in physician-dispensed skincare and aesthetic solutions and part of Waldencast plc (NASDAQ: WALD) (“Waldencast” or the “Company”), today announced that it has partnered with Alpha Aesthetic Partners for the Aesthetics Leadership with Obagi‘s Hyaluronic Acid (ALOHA) Program. Alpha was selected as an ALOHA launch partner for its demonstrated commitment to innovation, education, collaboration, and advancing aesthetic medicine through scalable, high-quality care models.

Through this real-world evaluation collaboration, Alpha will conduct a structured, multi-site evaluation of Obagi^® saypha^® MagIQ™ across its network of practices. The program will leverage Alpha’s strengths in systematic education, patient satisfaction, and cross-practice culture to generate real-world evidence demonstrating the value of integrating Obagi’s first FDA-approved injectable hyaluronic acid filler into diverse clinical environments.

“At Alpha, we’re focused on building capabilities and partnerships that meaningfully support our practices,” said John Wheeler, CEO of Alpha Aesthetics Partners. “What stood out about Obagi’s approach was the emphasis on real-world data and a thoughtful look at how skincare and injectables can work together to drive better outcomes for patients and providers.”

The ALOHA Program is designed to evaluate both clinical performance and patient experience, while supporting providers with complete Obagi protocols aimed at deepening patient relationships and driving consistent, high-quality outcomes. Standardized data will be collected across participating Alpha practices, with initial findings scheduled to be presented at the upcoming Alpha Summit. Results will also be shared at key industry conferences to highlight the real-world impact of introducing a new injectable across a leading network of aesthetic practices.

"Partnering with an innovative leader like Alpha underscores Obagi’s commitment to launching new aesthetics solutions grounded in meaningful real-world evidence,” said Drew Fine, U.S. General Manager, Professional Channel. “The ALOHA collaboration with Alpha brings together strong clinical leadership, operational excellence, and a shared focus on elevating patient care.”

Obagi^® saypha^® ChIQ™, developed by Croma-Pharma GmbH, utilizes proprietary MACRO Core Technology to create a stable three-dimensional hyaluronic acid matrix. The technology is designed to deliver natural-looking results with category-leading performance, including high usable HA content upon injection, consistent gel distribution, and a predictable injection force and swelling profile¹.

For more information about ALOHA, visit https://obagi-professional.com/.

About Obagi Medical
Obagi Medical is an industry-leading, advanced skincare line rooted in research and skin biology, with a legacy of 35+ years of experience. Initially known for its leadership in the treatment of hyperpigmentation with the Obagi Nu-Derm^® System, Obagi Medical products are designed to address a variety of skin concerns, including premature aging, photodamage, skin discoloration, acne, and sun damage. As the fastest-growing professional skincare brand in the U.S. in 2024,² Obagi Medical empowers individuals to achieve healthy, beautiful skin. More information about Obagi Medical is available on the brand’s website, https://www.obagi.com.

About Alpha Aesthetics Partners
‍Founded in 2023, Alpha Aesthetics Partners aims to advance the medical aesthetics industry through best-in-class partner support and clinical training. With a vision to build the best operating and biggest network of medical aesthetics practices in the nation, Alpha Aesthetics Partners focuses on making medical spa ownership simpler and more collaborative, allowing partners to concentrate on providing world-class patient care. The company is a portfolio company of Thurston Group, with a rapidly growing presence across 31 locations in 12 states.

About Waldencast plc
Founded by Michel Brousset and Hind Sebti, Waldencast’s ambition is to build a global best-in-class beauty and wellness operating platform by developing, acquiring, accelerating, and scaling conscious, high-growth purpose-driven brands. Waldencast’s vision is fundamentally underpinned by its brand-led business model that ensures proximity to its customers, business agility, and market responsiveness, while maintaining each brand’s distinct DNA. The first step in realizing its vision was the Business Combination. As part of the Waldencast platform, its brands will benefit from the operational scale of a multi-brand platform; the expertise in managing global beauty brands at scale; a balanced portfolio to mitigate category fluctuations; asset light efficiency; and the market responsiveness and speed of entrepreneurial indie brands. For more information please visit: https://ir.waldencast.com.

Media Contact:
obagi@behrmancesa.com

Source: Waldencast plc

1. Puljic A, Frank K, Cohen J, Otto K, Mayr J, Hugh-Bloch A, Kuroki-Hasenöhrl, D. A Scientific Framework for Comparing Hyaluronic Acid Filler Crosslinking Technologies. Gels. 2025; 11(7):487
2. *Among the Top 10 Professional Skin Care Brands in the U.S., According to Kline’s 2024 Global Professional Skin Care Series (China, Europe and the U.S.)

FAQ

What is the ALOHA Program announced by Obagi Medical (WALD) on Jan 27, 2026?

The ALOHA Program is a structured, real‑world evaluation partnership with Alpha to assess Obagi® saypha® MagIQ™ across multiple clinical sites.

How many Alpha Aesthetics Partners locations will participate in the WALD ALOHA evaluation?

Alpha operates across 31 locations in 12 states, and the program will run across its multi‑site network.

What product is being evaluated in the Obagi and Alpha ALOHA collaboration (WALD)?

The program evaluates Obagi® saypha® MagIQ™, Obagi’s FDA‑approved injectable hyaluronic acid filler developed with MACRO Core Technology.

When and where will initial ALOHA findings be presented for WALD/Obagi?

Initial findings are scheduled to be presented at the upcoming Alpha Summit and shared at key industry conferences.

Will the ALOHA Program produce peer‑reviewed clinical results for Obagi (WALD)?

The announcement notes standardized real‑world data collection and planned conference presentations but does not state any peer‑reviewed publications yet.