Return to Main Menu

Attracted to MUSC, pharmaceutical company moves to Charleston A pharmaceutical company specializing in dermatological products has located its headquarters to Charleston from Philadelphia, Pa., to be closer to MUSC’s dermatology program, company officials announced in January.    JSJ Pharmaceuticals Inc. (JSJ), a specialty pharmaceutical company that identifies and brings to market pharmaceutical products targeted for topical use, primarily in the dermatology community, has located their corporate headquarters to 140 East Bay St.   Incorporated in 2003, JSJ promotes its own line of products that started with three products in October 2003. As a result of research, development and acquisitions, JSJ now sells more than 15 product lines.   JSJ Pharmaceutical COO, Jonathan Alba, cited access to MUSC’s dermatology program as a key consideration for choosing to locate his company’s headquarters to Charleston.   “Having access to the well-renowned research staff in the dermatology department at MUSC is critical to a rapidly growing company like JSJ,” Alba said. “Charleston’s lifestyle, availability of talent and competitive business climate were also strong considerations.”   Regarding the relationship between JSJ and MUSC, Bruce Thiers, M.D., chair of the Department of Dermatology stated: “Partnerships between academia and industry are becoming increasingly important in the advancement of health care. I’m confident that we can build a strong relationship between the Department of Dermatology and JSJ Pharmaceuticals.”   MUSC’s Department of Dermatology was founded in December 1979 by Richard Dobson, M.D., who moved to Charleston from Buffalo, N.Y., along with two faculty members, John Maize, M.D., and Thiers, and the department’s business manager, Cynthia Rossi. In addition to its main facility at Rutledge Tower, the department plans to expand to satellite clinics in North Charleston and Summerville.   The department offers comprehensive care in medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology, and offers the services of the only two dermatologic surgeons with fellowship training in Mohs micrographic skin cancer surgery in the Charleston area. The department describes itself as an academically-oriented faculty, many of whom have held leadership positions in the two major organizations for dermatology professionals—the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Board of Dermatology.   The department offers residency training in dermatology and fellowship training in procedural dermatology.   JSJ continues to identify and develop additional prescriptive dermatology products to complement and/or expand their current product line, leverage its patented technology and expand the company’s overall presence as a progressive dermatology company. The company is expected to introduce several new products or line extensions in 2007 and launch into the rapidly growing aesthetic dermatology market segment in 2008.   JSJ Pharmaceuticals corporate office is located in the Charleston Digital Corridor’s Wharf District.   “JSJ is joining the growing ranks of life sciences companies that recognize the value of MUSC, a world-class medical university,” said Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr.   South Carolina Secretary of Commerce, Joe E. Taylor, congratulated JSJ Pharmaceuticals on their decision to locate their company to Charleston. “I am confident that JSJ will find all the ingredients necessary to accelerate the growth of their specialty pharmaceutical company in South Carolina,” he said.   JSJ aims to be the “next generation” in skin related pharmaceuticals, providing clinicians with a “toolbox” for the management of daily challenges faced in their clinical practice.   To learn more, go to http://www.jsjpharm.com. Source: charlestondigitalcorridor.com.     Friday, Feb. 9, 2007 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.