P&G Donates to Cincinnati Children's Skin Sciences Institute
Researchers to Collaborate with UC College of Medicine on Skin Research
CINCINNATI -- Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) today announced the donation of one of its proprietary Skin Pigmentation Control Technologies to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. The donation includes 32 patents and patent applications, and all associated intellectual property.
The donated technology may reduce the dispigmentation that occurs as the result of burns, skin grafting procedures, wounds, acne, chronic inflammation, side effects of drugs, and scarring that occurs during surgery and from accidents.
In addition to these potential uses, further research on the technology will target several potential medical applications, including a condition known as melasma, in which portions of the skin take on a darker color than surrounding skin. Melasma often occurs in women, particularly during pregnancy, and sometimes it never entirely disappears. Melasma has a recurrence rate of up to 70 percent.
Although Procter & Gamble has made technology donations in the past, this is the first time such a technology has been given to a pediatric medical center – and the first in Cincinnati.
"We are very pleased that Skin Pigmentation Control Technology will continue its development under the leadership of Cincinnati Children's, whose Skin Sciences Institute is a world leader in skin care research," said P&G Chairman John Pepper.
"This is a significant event in the history of corporate philanthropy in Ohio -- an event that has substantial implications for the health of children and adults," said James M. Anderson, president and chief executive officer of Cincinnati Children's. "In giving Cincinnati Children's sole ownership of this technology, children and adults throughout the world are likely to benefit."
Researchers at the Skin Sciences Institute, in collaboration with researchers at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children, will engage in studies to determine the technology's mechanism of action in specific cells, conduct human clinical trials and ultimately commercialize the technology.
About Skin Pigmentation Control Technology
Skin Pigmentation Control Technology arose from P&G's substantial and ongoing commitment to its skin care brands. P&G researchers worked to create an ingredient to keep the skin evenly toned and free of blotches and blemishes. The researchers sought to create a new compound that would be more effective and/or less irritating than those currently available.
P&G researchers found that, in addition to cosmetic applications, the technology held great promise for healthcare applications in dermatology, such as the treatment of melasma. P&G is currently focusing its skin care R&D on other promising technologies, but didn't want Skin Pigmentation Control Technology to sit on the shelf.
The company hired an outside consultant to choose the most qualified institution to further develop and commercialize the technology. Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center was chosen due to the excellent reputation of its Skin Sciences Institute and its expertise in cellular and biochemical research.
About Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Cincinnati Children's is a 426-bed pediatric medical center, recognized throughout the world for its clinical care, research and education. Scientists at Cincinnati Children's have developed such life-saving research discoveries as the Sabin oral polio vaccine and a surfactant preparation that has saved the lives of many thousands of premature newborns.
In its most recent fiscal year, Cincinnati Children's provided innovative medical and surgical care to patients from 32 nations. The medical center could not have become the national and international leader it is today without the support of the Cincinnati community.
About the Skin Sciences Institute
The Skin Sciences Institute is a research and educational organization of the Children's Hospital Research Foundation. The Institute is a collaboration among Cincinnati Children's, the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, and Shriners Hospitals for Children. The executive director is Marty Visscher, Ph.D. The Institute views infant skin as ideal skin and focuses on the skin as a primary care interface—a biological spacesuit that separates outer from inner space.
About Procter & Gamble (P&G)
P&G markets 250 brands to five billion consumers in 130 countries. P&G invests nearly $2 billion a year to develop and improve its products -- leading the way in R&D globally among consumer products companies. P&G's Global Licensing and External Business Development Unit is charged with ensuring the company maximizes the value of its "treasure trove" of technologies by selling, licensing and, in some cases, donating these technologies. The unit is also responsible for licensing select P&G brand trademarks.
Contact Information
Jim Feuer (jfeuer@chmcc.org) Cincinnati Children's, 513-636-4656
Martha Depenbrock, P&G, 513-983-5366
Caroline Charles (ccharles@northlich.com), Northlich PR for P&G, 513-762-5571
