When a medical condition is life-threatening—especially when it affects a large group of people—it often attracts ample attention. Researchers are eager to find a cure, or at least an effective treatment; patient advocacy groups raise awareness; sponsors supply funding; progress is made. When a medical condition is primarily cosmetic, the urgency to find and fund a cure is significantly lower—even when 70 million people worldwide suffer from it.
The effect of “skin deep” afflictions on quality of life is not valued to the same degree, even though they, too, can be life-threatening. In some cultures, being disfigured may cause individuals to be physically ostracized and unable to find work, companionship, or even housing.
Further, in any culture, the psychological impact of being embarrassed by or anxious about one’s appearance can have life-altering consequences, ranging from low self-esteem to deep depression.
Our client was testing a topical treatment for a previously untreatable dermatological condition. There was great excitement about this product, since it not only would offer patients hope, but deliver that hope in a preferred treatment modality. Our team was honored to help advance the product towards market.
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