Stiefel Laboratories Answers Celebrity Challenge

CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Stiefel Laboratories Inc., the world’s largest independent pharmaceutical company specializing in dermatology, will donate up to $1 million in matching funds through April 14.

Stiefel accepted a celebrity challenge to raise $1 million for the Epidermolysis Bullosa Medical Research Foundation (EBMRF) in two weeks.

The EBMRF fundraiser, initiated by Courteney Cox Arquette and husband David, kicked off March 20.

“We were thrilled to hear about the challenge Courteney Cox Arquette made to her friends,” said Todd Stiefel, Stiefel's executive vice president for global strategy. “By matching dollar for dollar the amount they raise, we can help increase awareness of epidermolysis bullosa and contribute to research that will lead to better treatments and hopefully find a cure for the various forms of this terrible disease.”

Epidermolysis bullosa is a debilitating and life-threatening disease that causes the skin to tear and blister from a slight touch or trauma, requiring daily bandaging of the wounds. The disorder often results in skin cancer early in life, and scarring can impair eating and breathing.

“The stakes have been raised,” said Andrea Pett-Joseph, spokesperson for EBMRF. “Thanks to Stiefel’s pledge, every dollar donated until April 14 will actually be worth twice as much and we are that much closer to a cure for EB and people affected by the disease.”