24 Oct Gerry Muhle

Gerry Muhle on Galderma’s Vision for the Future of Aesthetics

Head of Global Product Strategy at Galderma

Galderma, the pure-play dermatology category leader, is setting new standards in aesthetics and skin health through innovation, education, and a holistic dermatology strategy. At the AMWC Congress in Dubai, we met with Gerry Muhle, Head of Global Product Strategy, to explore the company’s latest breakthroughs and the trends shaping the future of aesthetics. With more than two decades of experience across GlaxoSmithKline, Allergan, and now Galderma, Gerry brings deep insight into how science, technology, and training are redefining patient care and driving sustainable growth in a highly competitive market.

To begin, can you tell us about yourself and your background?
I am originally from Australia, but I grew up across Asia and the Middle East, in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the Philippines. I am now based in Switzerland, where Galderma’s global headquarters are located. My background is in molecular genetics, and before moving into pharmaceuticals, I worked in research for a number of years in Australia. Professionally, I spent 14 years at GlaxoSmithKline, then 8 years at Allergan, and for the past four years I have been with Galderma, where I lead Global Product Strategy across Injectable Aesthetics, Therapeutic Dermatology, and Dermatological Skincare.

Galderma is showcasing several innovations this year. What makes these launches stand out?
It is a very exciting time for us. One of the most important developments is the upcoming launch of our first neuromodulator in this region, which has already been introduced in Europe and Australia and is now present in 17 countries. We are also introducing Restylane SHAYPE, part of our NASHA High Definition technology. It provides a bone-mimicking effect and is indicated for the chin or jawline depending on the country. With Sculptra, we have expanded beyond collagen and elastin stimulation by demonstrating its regenerative properties through gene expression studies. This has repositioned Sculptra as the first proven regenerative biostimlator and reignited interest in the brand.

Beyond products, Galderma has built a reputation for education. Why is this so important?
Education is central to our mission. Through our global training platform, GAIN, we have developed protocols such as Holistic Individualized Treatments, or HITs. These are designed to help physicians combine treatments, for example, pairing Sculptra with Restylane or a neuromodulator, to achieve natural multimodal results. Last year alone, we trained over one hundred thousand physicians worldwide.
That is critical, because injectors do not learn these techniques at university, and poor aesthetic outcomes have a tendency to hurt the industry as a whole. Our commitment is to ensure safe, effective, and natural-looking outcomes through robust education.

Many patients today are on GLP-1 medication-driven weight loss, which can cause facial changes. How is Galderma addressing this?
The GLP-1 trend is huge. By 2030, this class of drugs will represent around one hundred billion US dollars in the United States alone. The speed of weight loss often results in skin laxity, sagging, and dullness. We did not want to just talk about this issue, we wanted to do the science. So we conducted a nine-month clinical study with Sculptra and Restylane using our ShapeUp protocol, specifically in GLP-1 patients.
This was the first study of its kind, and we presented its results here at AMWC Dubai. We also worked with global key opinion leaders to establish consensus guidelines. A key takeaway was that physicians should not wait until the end of weight loss to treat. Instead, treatments should happen as the patient goes along, to preserve collagen and elastin. Our global survey of 1,300 patients, including in the Middle East, also confirmed that nearly half are open to aesthetic treatments to counteract these changes.

Some patients worry about fillers leading to unnatural or overdone results. How do you respond to this?
There has been some filler fatigue, but the market is stabilizing. Clinics that focus on proper consultation and assessment are not experiencing a decline, because they tailor treatments to each individual. The challenge comes from places that simply respond to patient requests without proper evaluation.
At Galderma, we emphasize education on consultation and multimodal approaches.
Fillers or Hyaluronic Injectables remain essential in areas such as the lips, but today it is about combining technologies, bio-stimulators, toxins, and fillers, rather than over-relying on one treatment.

There are myths that products like Sculptra complicate future facelifts. What is the reality?
This is a misconception. Sculptra has been in use for almost three decades, and we know how it behaves.
Sculptra needs to be injected properly, in the correct plane, by a trained physician. The problems arise only from incorrect technique.

The aesthetics market is becoming increasingly competitive. How does Galderma maintain its leadership?
I describe it as the three T’s: Technology, Trends, and Training.

• Technology: Launching differentiated products such as our new neuromodulator and Restylane SHAYPE.
• Trends: Anticipating shifts in the market, such as medication-driven weight loss, through initiatives like our NEXT by Galderma trend report.
• Training: Ensuring physicians are highly trained, which drives both safety and growth.

We also invest in digital tools like FACE by Galderma, an augmented reality consultation app, and in innovative marketing approaches that competitors often emulate.
What sets us apart is our integrated dermatology strategy that spans aesthetics, therapeutics, and skincare, allowing us to take a holistic view of patient care.

Looking ahead, what are the big trends that will shape the future of aesthetics?
We are seeing a convergence of beauty, wellness, and health. Millennials, for example, now view injectables as part of their lifestyle, alongside eating well, going to the gym, and taking care of their skin. Preventive or proactive beauty is becoming central to younger generations.
Our NEXT by Galderma trend forecasting report identified six major trends. One was “fast aesthetics,” where treatments rise and fall quickly, much like fast fashion.
We also identified the growing movement of proactive beauty, with younger patients maintaining their natural looks rather than waiting for signs of aging. These insights guide how we innovate, ensuring we remain at the forefront of science and patient needs.