Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum Aux (Injectable)
NEW Discontinued (was $1,800 per treatment kit)USED Not sold on secondary marketFDA Cleared 2020
Last updated: 2026-04-09
Overview
Qwo Injectable is Endo Aesthetics' entry in the cellulite category, built on Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum Aux (Injectable). The platform treats buttocks (fda-approved indication), with 10 minutes per treatment and a recommended course of 3 sessions 21 days apart. FDA cleared in 2020, it lists in the Discontinued (was $1,800 per treatment kit) range for new units and Not sold on secondary market on the secondary market.
First and only FDA-approved injectable for moderate to severe cellulite in the buttocks of adult women. Enzymatically severs fibrous septa that create cellulite dimples. Discontinued by Endo in 2022 due to supply chain issues and adverse event reports. The mechanism is what separates Qwo Injectable from competitors in the same category. Where it fits in your practice depends on patient demographics, treatment volume, and whether you need a flagship platform or a value-tier alternative.
Qwo Injectable is manufactured by Endo Aesthetics (Malvern, PA, founded 1997). The device benefits from Endo Aesthetics' public market visibility and presence across 40+ countries. Service support, training availability, and parts access vary by region. Practices considering this device should validate dealer presence and technical support coverage in their area before signing a contract.
TREATMENT AREAS
Buttocks (FDA-approved indication)
TREATMENT TIME
10 minutes per treatment
SESSIONS
3 sessions 21 days apart
PER SESSION
$1,800-$2,500 (historical)
CONSUMABLES/YR
N/A (discontinued)
MAINTENANCE/YR
N/A
Pros & Cons
Pros
The only FDA-approved injectable cellulite treatment while active
Minimal capital investment (injection-based, no device to buy)
Fast 10-minute treatments fit into existing injection clinics
Covered by physician injection codes and existing clinic workflows
Cons
Discontinued by Endo in 2022 and no longer available
Bruising reports drove patient complaints and adverse events
Supply chain issues made consistent inventory impossible
Serves as a cautionary tale about single-source injectables
Practices that invested in Qwo branding and training lost that investment
Clinical Evidence
Multiple phase 3 RCTs supporting original FDA approval. Post-market adverse event reports drove the 2022 discontinuation. The published evidence base for Qwo Injectable reflects how long the platform has been in market and how much the manufacturer has invested in clinical research. Devices with FDA clearance dates before 2018 typically have stronger peer-reviewed datasets than newer entrants. For physicians evaluating this device, the questions worth asking are whether the studies used blinded evaluators, what the sample sizes were, and whether the research was independent or manufacturer-funded.
Compare Qwo Injectable's evidence base against the category benchmark. In Qwo Injectable's category, the strongest evidence typically comes from devices that have been on the market for at least five years and have multiple randomized controlled trials with independent funding. Marketing claims from any manufacturer should be cross-checked against PubMed-indexed publications rather than conference posters or white papers. Conference presentations are not equivalent to peer review.
For practices that require strong clinical evidence (academic dermatology, plastic surgery groups with research interests, multi-physician practices that need to defend purchase decisions internally), the evidence profile should be a top-three decision factor. For high-volume cash-pay practices where patient demand drives device selection, brand recognition often matters more than the underlying evidence base. Both approaches are defensible, but they lead to different device selections.
ROI Analysis
Practice ROI for Qwo Injectable depends on three variables: capital cost, per-session revenue, and treatment volume. At a new unit price of Discontinued (was $1,800 per treatment kit), financed over five years at typical equipment rates, the monthly payment runs roughly 2-2.5% of total cost. Per-session revenue at $1,800-$2,500 (historical) means the device needs to fill enough treatment slots monthly to cover the payment, consumables (N/A (discontinued)), maintenance (N/A), and operator labor.
For a practice doing 2-3 treatments per day at the midpoint of the per-session range, Qwo Injectable typically reaches break-even at 12-18 months for the lower end of the new pricing range, or 18-30 months at the high end. Used and refurbished units in the Not sold on secondary market range can cut payback periods in half. The biggest practice mistake is over-projecting treatment volume. Physicians who run their numbers on 4-6 daily treatments rarely hit those targets in year one.
The realistic question is not whether Qwo Injectable can pay back. Most devices in this price range do, eventually. The question is whether your practice can fill the schedule. Practices with existing patient flow in Dermatology, Med Spa have the easiest path. Practices building demand from scratch should plan for 6-12 months of marketing investment before the device pays for itself.
Best For
Historical reference only. Qwo is discontinued and unavailable for purchase. Practices evaluating cellulite treatment should consider Emtone, Cellutone, or mechanical alternatives instead. The fit is strongest for practices that match the device's positioning on price, clinical evidence requirements, and patient throughput expectations. Practices with mismatched economics often regret these purchases within 18 months.
Beyond practice type, Qwo Injectable fits best when the patient base aligns with the device's strengths. For cellulite platforms, this usually means matching device capability to patient demographics, skin type range, and willingness to pay per-session pricing. Practices in markets where patients price-shop heavily need to factor that into device selection. Practices in concierge or luxury markets can charge premium pricing that justifies premium platforms.
Buying Guide
New Qwo Injectable units sell for Discontinued (was $1,800 per treatment kit) from Endo Aesthetics or authorized dealers. Refurbished and used units sell for Not sold on secondary market on the secondary market. The decision between new and used comes down to warranty coverage, software version, included applicators, and consumable allowances. New units typically include a 12-24 month warranty, current software, all applicators, and a starter consumable package. Used units usually carry no warranty, may have outdated software, and require separate consumable purchases.
What to negotiate: applicator quantity (always ask for additional applicators thrown in), consumable starter packs, training and certification fees, extended warranty coverage, marketing materials, and clinical training for additional providers. Endo Aesthetics sales reps typically have 10-15% list price flexibility and far more on bundled deals. End-of-quarter and end-of-year are the strongest negotiation windows. Trade-in programs for older devices can reduce net cost by another 10-20%.
What to watch for: software lock-out fees on used units (some manufacturers disable software on resold devices), per-pulse or per-treatment licensing fees that show up after purchase, consumable price increases over the device life, and service contract terms. Always require a written quote that breaks out hardware, applicators, training, first-year service, and consumables separately. Bundled quotes hide the line items where margins live.
Alternatives and Comparisons
The main alternatives to Qwo Injectable in this category are listed below. Click into any comparison for a full side-by-side breakdown.
EMTONE: Med spas and dermatology practices that already own Emsculpt Neo and want to add targeted cellulite treatment. Practices where patients request cellulite reduct
CELLUTONE: Med spas already owning Emsculpt Neo or Vanquish ME that want a low-cost cellulite companion device. Practices bundling multi-device treatment packages at premi
New Qwo Injectable units sell for Discontinued (was $1,800 per treatment kit) from Endo Aesthetics and authorized dealers. Used and refurbished units typically run Not sold on secondary market on the secondary market depending on age, software version, and included applicators. Per-session pricing for treatments is $1,800-$2,500 (historical). Annual consumables run N/A (discontinued) and annual maintenance averages N/A. Practices financing the device should expect monthly payments around 2-2.5% of the total purchase price over a five-year term.
Is Qwo Injectable FDA cleared?
Yes. Qwo Injectable received FDA 510(k) clearance in 2020. The clearance covers the indications listed in the device labeling. Off-label uses are common in clinical practice but should be discussed with patients explicitly. Physicians should verify current clearance status and any updates directly with Endo Aesthetics or via the FDA 510(k) database before making a purchase decision.
What is the clinical evidence behind Qwo Injectable?
Multiple phase 3 RCTs supporting original FDA approval. Post-market adverse event reports drove the 2022 discontinuation. When evaluating clinical evidence, look for blinded evaluator studies, independent funding sources, and peer-reviewed publications rather than manufacturer-funded white papers or conference posters. Evidence quality varies widely between devices in the same category, even when the marketing materials look similar.
Which specialties use Qwo Injectable?
Qwo Injectable is primarily used by Dermatology, Med Spa, Plastic Surgery. Best fit varies by patient mix and practice economics. Historical reference only. Qwo is discontinued and unavailable for purchase. Practices evaluating cellulite treatment should consider Emtone, Cellutone, or mechanical alternatives instead.
How long does a Qwo Injectable treatment session take?
Each Qwo Injectable treatment session runs 10 minutes per treatment. The recommended protocol is 3 sessions 21 days apart. Total chair time including consultation, setup, treatment, and post-treatment care is typically 1.5-2x the listed treatment time. Practices planning daily treatment volume should use the realistic chair-time number, not just the active treatment minutes.
What are the main pros and cons of Qwo Injectable?
Strengths: The only FDA-approved injectable cellulite treatment while active; Minimal capital investment (injection-based, no device to buy); Fast 10-minute treatments fit into existing injection clinics. Weaknesses: Discontinued by Endo in 2022 and no longer available; Bruising reports drove patient complaints and adverse events; Supply chain issues made consistent inventory impossible. Every device in this category has tradeoffs. The right choice depends on which strengths matter most to your practice and which weaknesses you can tolerate.
What does Qwo Injectable cost to operate annually?
Annual operating costs for Qwo Injectable include consumables (N/A (discontinued)), maintenance and service (N/A), and operator labor. Practices doing high treatment volumes should also budget for additional applicator wear and replacement. Total annual operating cost typically runs 5-15% of the original purchase price, with consumables driving most of the variability between low and high estimates.
Who manufactures Qwo Injectable and how stable is the company?
Qwo Injectable is manufactured by Endo Aesthetics, headquartered in Malvern, PA and founded in 1997. The company is publicly traded under ticker ENDP and operates in 40+ countries. Annual revenue is approximately Part of Endo International ($2B+). Manufacturer financial stability matters because it affects warranty support, parts availability, and long-term software updates. Physicians making capital purchases should always check the manufacturer's recent financial trajectory before committing.
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