SCHAUMBURG, Illinois and SOPHIA ANTIPOLIS, France, April 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Academy of Dermatology (Academy), in partnership with Galderma Research & Development, SNC is pleased to announce the creation of the American Academy of Dermatology Translational Biotechnology Fellowship. The new fellowship will offer a dermatologist the opportunity to work in drug development and translational medical research at Galderma's R&D facility located in Sophia Antipolis, France. This learning opportunity will allow the physician to advance science and explore career options within a pharmaceutical industry setting.

Galderma will host two one-year fellowships, one beginning in fall 2013 and one beginning in fall 2014 at Sophia Antipolis, the largest corporate-funded facility in the world dedicated to skin research.

The fellow will gain knowledge of the specific requirements of drug development and be given opportunities for creative exploration within the pharmaceutical industry environment.

The AAD will provide the selected candidate a stipend to cover his or her costs during the term of the fellowship. Galderma will host and provide necessary resources to support and mentor the Fellow.

Preference will be given to candidates who are in their last year of residency in an accredited American College of Graduate Medical Education dermatology residency program. Candidates must be a physician member of the Academy who will have satisfactorily completed a residency no more than three years before the planned start date.  Candidates must be interested in pursuing research and exploring careers in an industry setting. The AAD will review fellowship applications and recommend one candidate each year the fellowship is offered.

The application for the fall 2013 fellowship is available at www.aad.org/biotechfellowship. Submissions will be accepted through May 31, 2013. The 2013 recipient will be notified in July 2013. The application for the fall 2014 fellowship will be available on the website in mid-June 2013. The 2014 recipient will be notified in December 2013.

"This fellowship represents a new level of cooperation between the American Academy of Dermatology and industry to advance the needs of the specialty. This is a unique opportunity for a recent dermatology residency graduate and AAD member to participate in the development of innovative medical solutions," said Dirk M. Elston, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist and president of the American Academy of Dermatology.

"Galderma is a global leader in dermatology and a long-time partner of the AAD. This unique fellowship is a tangible example of Galderma's real commitment to supporting dermatologic research and young physicians' medical education," commented François Fournier, president of Galderma for North America.  "Galderma is exclusively focused on dermatology and invests approximately 20 percent of its revenues each year to discover and develop new products and accessing innovative technologies."

"The AAD's Translational Biotechnology Fellowship provides a new kind of collaborative educational opportunity with Galderma," explained Alain Jacot, vice president Scientific Division, Galderma. "The Galderma Research & Development team is excited to welcome a dermatologist at its facility of Sophia Antipolis, France."

The fellowship was announced as part of the Academy's 75th Anniversary during the Academy's Annual Meeting, March 1-5, 2013, in Miami Beach, Florida. This unique fellowship highlights how the AAD and industry can partner to support dermatology research and to further the specialty. 

About the American Academy of Dermatology

Celebrating 75 years of promoting skin, hair and nail health

Headquartered in Schaumburg, ILL., the American Academy of Dermatology (Academy), founded in 1938, is the largest, most influential, and most representative of all dermatologic associations. With a membership of more than 17,000 physicians worldwide, the Academy is committed to: advancing the diagnosis and medical, surgical and cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair and nails; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education, and research in dermatology; and supporting and enhancing patient care for a lifetime of healthier skin, hair and nails. For more information, contact the Academy at 1-888-462-DERM (3376) or www.aad.org. Follow the Academy on Facebook (American Academy of Dermatology) or Twitter (@AADskin).

About Galderma

A world leading medical company exclusively focused on dermatology

Galderma is a global company founded in 1981 committed to delivering innovative medical solutions to meet the dermatological needs of people throughout their lifetime while serving healthcare professionals around the world. The company has 31 wholly-owned affiliates with a worldwide network of distributors and more than 4,000 employees. Galderma's extensive product portfolio is available in 70 countries and treats a range of dermatological conditions including: acne, rosacea, onychomycosis, psoriasis & steroid-responsive dermatoses, pigmentary disorders, skin cancer and medical solutions for skin senescence.

With approximately 20% of revenues invested each year to discover and develop new products and access innovative technologies, the company is one of the world's leading investors in dermatology R&D. Four state-of-the-art R&D centers and four manufacturing sites are dedicated to providing a wide range of innovative medical solutions which meet the highest standards of safety and efficacy.

Strategic brands include Epiduo®, Oracea®, Clobex®, Differin®, Rozex®/MetroGel®, Silkis®/Vectical®, Tri-Luma®, Loceryl®, Cetaphil®, Metvix®, Azzalure®, Restylane® and Emervel®.

For more information, please visit www.galderma.com

About Sophia Antipolis: the world's largest R&D center specialized in dermatology

Galderma's four R&D centers are located in France, Sweden, the United States and Japan and are playing a key role in the discovering and developing of innovative medical solutions for the global dermatology market. Located in southeast France, Galderma's Sophia Antipolis facility is the largest laboratory in the world dedicated exclusively to dermatology. This state-of-the-art center is the birthplace of the adapalene molecule, an active ingredient in Differin® Gel and Epiduo® Gel. Five hundred scientists and support staff work at the center which hosts all of Galderma's in-house research, preclinical and core development (clinical, pharmaceutical and biometric) activities. Since its opening at the end of 2006, this 270,000 sq. feet facility accommodates our scientists with expertise ranging from genomics to proteomics, from high throughput technologies such as screening, chemistry and toxicogenomics to clinical activities in early and full development.

• 270,000 sq. feet:  Sophia Antipolis, France, is the largest R&D center dedicated to dermatology in the world
• More than 10,000 molecules tested  since 1981
• By the end of 2011, over 6,000 new patent applications and patents filed by Galderma
• 55 new families of patent applications in 2011
• 500 scientists
• ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 certifications
• Compliant with Good Laboratory Practices, Good Manufacturing Practices and Good Clinical Practices

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

SOURCE Galderma Laboratories