CDF Colin Ramsay Endowment Fund Research Grant.
L-R: Dr. Neil H. Shear, CDF President, Dr. Gilles Lauzon, CDF Secretary, recipient Dr. John Elliott, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Dr.Kenneth A Kobayashi, CDF Treasurer.

The CDF Colin Ramsay Endowment Fund owes its existence to a generous contributions by two industry partners, totalling $525,000. The Canadian Dermatology Foundation recently recognized Astellas Pharma Canada as a “Leader Benefactor”, for completing a financial commitment to fund the Endowment by Biogen-Idec Canada.

First grant awarded in 2006

The first CDF Colin Ramsay Research Grant was awarded in 2006 to Dr Marco Garate, of the BC Cancer Agency.

Astellas Pharma awarded CDF Leader Benefactor plaque
CDF Industry partner recognized for leadership role

Astellas Pharma has been closely associated with the dermatology community for many years, and is dedicated to supporting research and education in the field of skin disease. As he was presented with a plaque acknowledging the leadership demonstrated by his corporation, Robert Goldberg, Astellas Senior Product Manager, Dermatology, said “As a major pharmaceutical company involved in dermatology, we consider it a privilege to have the opportunity to participate in establishing an endowment fund to honour Doctor Colin Ramsay, a clinician and educator highly respected in his chosen field”.

Astellas Pharma honoured as CDF Leader Benefactor
L-R: Dr. Neil H. Shear, CDF President, Robert Goldberg, Astellas Pharma, Senior Product Manager, Dermatology, Neil Sarin, Astella Pharma Product Manager, Dermatology and Dr. Kenneth A. Kobayashi, CDF Treasurer.

Doctor Colin Ramsay played a major role in the CDF and was largely responsible for the growth of the Capital Fund. All the principals involved in establishing the CDF Colin Ramsay Endowment Fund agreed that it should be designated in his name only, as a fitting memorial to his outstanding contribution to dermatology.

The Canadian Dermatology Foundation President Dr Neil Shear, who presented the plaque, stated that “It is the exceptional nature of contributions such as these by industry partners, which have been so important in augmenting the funds raised by the CDF annual campaign.

The CDF, a registered charitable organization, awards up to $500,000 in research grants each year and to date, has disbursed a total of $5 million to dermatology researchers across Canada since it was established in 1969.