Galderma SKINPACT Awards recognise four original dermatology projects that aim to generate a positive impact in advancing sustainable innovation through Community Leadership and Continuing Education
Lausanne, Switzerland, 9 June 2015 - Today at the World Congress of Dermatology in Vancouver, Galderma and the International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS), announced four winning projects as part of the SKIN PACT programme, a new initiative designed to advance community dermatology around the globe. Winners were selected from over 100 high calibre applications across 26 countries in the two categories “Community Leadership” and “Excellence in Education”, with the aim to improve dermatology communities and patient quality of life.
Following a shortlist selected by the ILDS Expert Dermatolgist Panel, a substantial number of votes were cast by supporters in the dermatology field to determine a winning project in each category. In addition to the community winners, the Expert Panel agreed a further project from each category. Each winning initiative is awarded US$15,000 to realise the project.
Janusz Czernielewski, Vice-President Medical Affairs, Galderma commented, “We are proud to have launched the SKIN PACT Awards forming part of a truly unique and global initiative that aims to make a positive impact for the dermatology community. We had a very encouraging response from the dermatology community, reflecting a diverse range of ideas and unmet needs. For the first time these winners have been chosen from an eminent talent pool of over 100 applicants from all over the world by both by the dermatology community as well as expert dermatology members of the International League of Dermatological Societies. The winners’ inspired visions can now become a reality, delivering significant improvements to the lives of many people reached by their work.”
Winners in the Community Leadership Award category comprise a project from Taiwan selected by community voting, which will aim to develop an instant, audio-assisted secretary to connect patients with epidermolysis bullosa to their physician. The unique mobile app, designed by staff at the National Cheng Kung University Hospital, aims to facilitate better interaction between patients and physicians providing notifications, symptom monitoring and help with medication compliance. The other award in this category, selected by the Expert Panel, is a project led from Germany under the auspices of the European Society of Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus that will investigate the role of sunscreens in the prevention of lupus erythematosus flares and disease activity. The aim will be to collect data in a pan-European observational study, including parameters, e.g., type of sunscreen and its efficacy in the prevention of skin manifestations.
The Excellence in Education Award category was awarded, as a result of the community voting to a project designed to encourage healthy sun protection behaviours in Latin children and guard against developing skin cancer. The Aurora Skin Cancer Centre in Colombia proposed a study to evaluate the impact of a new children’s book, ‘A Sun Protection Tale’, assessing its effectiveness in improving sun-protection behaviours in a cohort of school children who had read the book. In this category the Expert Panel also awarded a project from Italy to establish a pilot “Bed-to-Bench and Back” research training programme for dermatology residents. Teaching basic laboratory techniques and their applications to dermatology research, with online lectures and practical sessions, the project will aim to improve understanding of the cellular and molecular basis of skin disorders.
Prof. Wolfram Sterry, President of the International League of Dermatological Societies commented, “We would like to congratulate the winners of this year’s SKIN PACT Awards. The quality of the submissions was extremely high and the Panel was delighted to see members of the dermatology community so motivated to making a difference to the lives of those working in, or affected by, skin diseases. All the winners have demonstrated a passionate commitment to delivering innovation and ensuring impact in the dermatology field.”
A media briefing will be held on 9th June in Vancouver where journalists will have the opportunity to hear more about the winning entries and interview opportunities with the winners will be arranged.
For all media enquiries, please contact:
Sébastien Cros
E-mail: media@galderma.com
Tel: +33 (0)1 58 86 45 92
About the SKINPACT Programme
The SKINPACT Awards are part of a wider program from Galderma dedicated to the advancement of work in community dermatology and also mark a significant development in the company’s corporate social responsibility in the field. The awards are held in partnership with the International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS). This programme is part of Galderma’s commitment to growing a responsible and sustainable dermatological community – community leadership and continuing education are at the heart of our approach. Please visit www.galdermaskinpact.org for further information and to access details on the short-listed projects and the winning applications.
About Galderma
Dating back to 1961, Galderma is now present in 80 countries with an extensive product portfolio to treat a range of dermatological conditions. The company partners with health care professionals around the world to meet the skin health needs of people throughout their lifetime. Galderma is a leader in research and development of scientifically-defined and medicallyproven solutions for the skin, hair and nails.
Strategic brands include Epiduo, Oracea, Differin, Mirvaso, Soolantra, Tri-Luma, Loceryl, Benzac, Cetaphil, Excipial, Daylong, Metvix, Azzalure/Dysport, Restylane and Emervel.
For more information, please visit www.galderma.com.