3.31.2008 - 11:39am ET

(CSRwire) CORAL GABLES, Fla., March 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Stiefel Laboratories, Inc., the world's largest independent pharmaceutical company specializing in dermatology, announced today that the company will donate up to $1 million in matching funds to the Epidermolysis Bullosa Medical Research Foundation (EBMRF). The announcement comes in response to a challenge issued by Courteney Cox Arquette and her husband, David Arquette, to raise $1 million for the foundation in just two weeks.

"We were thrilled to hear about the challenge Courteney Cox Arquette made to her friends," said Todd Stiefel, executive vice president, 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."

The match donation window for Stiefel's gift to EBMRF will run from the announcement date, March 20, 2008, through April 14, 2008.

The pharmaceutical company announced its plans to contribute to EBMRF Tuesday evening (March 25) via phone to guests at an invitation-only fundraiser at Eva Longoria Parker's new Hollywood restaurant Beso. Celebrities in attendance at the star-studded party included Orlando Bloom, Kate Beckinsale, Jennifer Aniston, sisters Jessica and Ashlee Simpson, and singer Eve.

"The stakes have been raised," said Andrea Pett-Joseph, 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."

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. Wounds can cover the entire body and scarring causes fusing of the toes and fingers. Esophageal scarring also makes eating and breathing difficult and many of those affected develop a skin cancer early in life as a result of the disorder.

There is currently no cure for EB.

About Stiefel Laboratories, Inc.

Founded in 1847, Stiefel Laboratories (a privately held company) is the world's largest independent pharmaceutical company specializing in dermatology. The company manufactures and markets a variety of prescription and non-prescription dermatological products. Some of the newest and best-known brands include Duac(R) Topical Gel (clindamycin, 1% - benzoyl peroxide, 5%) available in the Duac(R) Care System (CS); Evoclin(R) (clindamycin phosphate) Foam, 1%; Luxiq(R) (betamethasone valerate) Foam, 0.12%; MimyX(R) Cream; Olux(R) (clobetasol propionate) Foam, 0.05% and Olux-E(TM) (clobetasol propionate) Foam, 0.05% also available in the Olux(R) / Olux-E(TM) COMPLETE PACK; Soriatane(R) (acitretin) Capsules available in the Soriatane(R) CK CONVENIENCE KIT; Verdeso(TM) (desonide) Foam, 0.05%; Brevoxyl(R)-4 Creamy Wash (benzoyl peroxide 4%) and Brevoxyl(R)-8 Creamy Wash (benzoyl peroxide 8%) packaged in the Brevoxyl(R) Acne Wash Kit; Extina(R) (ketoconazole) Foam, 2%; Oilatum(R) Cleansing Bar; Physiogel(R); Stieprox(R) (ciclopirox olamine); REVALESKIN(TM); and Sarna(R). Its wholly-owned global network is comprised of more than 30 subsidiaries, manufacturing plants in six countries, research and development facilities on four continents, and products marketed in more than 100 countries around the world.

Stiefel Laboratories supplements its R&D efforts by seeking strategic partnerships and acquisitions around the world. To learn more about Stiefel Laboratories, Inc. visit www.stiefel.com.

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