The International League of Dermatological Societies

What The International League of Dermatological Societies does

The International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS) is a global, London-headquartered charitable organization and company limited by guarantee (registered charity 1111469 in England and Wales) that functions as the umbrella body for professional dermatology societies worldwide. Founded in 1935, ILDS represents 240 dermatological member organizations across 113 countries, collectively representing 200,000+ dermatologists and skin health professionals. Its core mandate is to champion dermatology in global health policy, most notably through its 'official relations' status with the World Health Organization (WHO), where it is the only skin specialist organization holding this designation.

ILDS's product portfolio is programmatic rather than technology-based. Core offerings include the World Congress of Dermatology (a triennial global congress, with WCD 2027 scheduled for Guadalajara, Mexico), the annual World Skin Health Day initiative, the Community Skin Health Journal, the GLODERM alliance for global health dermatology, an Educational Resources Platform (webinars, podcasts, atlases), the Regional Dermatology Training Centre in Moshi, Tanzania, and the Member Initiatives Directory. It also administers grant programmes (DermLink) and publishes Global Atlases on psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, and vitiligo. Underlying technology is limited to a website (ilds.org), YouTube channel (@ILDSDerm), and newsletter infrastructure; no proprietary software, AI/ML, or data products are described in the available evidence.

ILDS is funded through a non-commercial model: recurring membership dues from the 240 member societies, supplemented by donations and grants (administered partly through its foundation arm, the International Foundation for Dermatology). The organization is governed by its member societies rather than equity holders, has no venture or private equity backing, and is not listed. Its go-to-market is community-led (membership engagement) and event-driven (WCD, World Skin Health Day, regional forums), with distribution conducted through the 240-member society network spanning 113 countries.

Name

The International League of Dermatological Societies

Legal name

The International League of Dermatological Societies

Website

https://ilds.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1935

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS) is a London-based global charity and umbrella organization for 240 dermatological societies across 113 countries, representing 200,000+ dermatologists. It advocates for skin health in global policy via WHO official relations and delivers educational programmes, grants, and events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Medical Association / Global Health Charity

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Administration of Public Health Programs (92312)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Multilateral Global Health Agencies (UN/IFIs) (HLAJAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Global Health & Population Intergovernmental Bodies (BPADAAAD)

Keywords

• Dermatology association services
• Global health advocacy
• Professional medical societies
• Skin health programmes
• Medical education grants

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: ILDS generates revenue through membership dues from its 240 member organizations across 113 countries. Membership benefits include event promotion, newsletters, and access to resources.
2. Donations and Grants: ILDS is a registered charity in England and Wales (charity number 1111469) that accepts donations and administers grant programmes including DermLink grants to support skin health projects globally.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ILDS is a global umbrella charity that serves as the unified voice for 240 dermatological member organizations across 113 countries. It delivers international events (World Congress of Dermatology, World Skin Health Day), advocacy with the World Health Organization, educational publications and webinars, capacity-building programmes such as the Regional Dermatology Training Centre in Tanzania, and grant programmes (e.g., DermLink) that fund skin health projects worldwide. Its products and services are aimed at advancing dermatology as a global public health priority rather than commercial product sales.

Product overview

The International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS) is a global charitable organization that serves as an umbrella organization for professional dermatology organizations. Rather than offering a unified software product, ILDS provides a portfolio of programs, publications, and events focused on advancing skin health worldwide. The core offerings include the World Congress of Dermatology (major triennial conference), World Skin Health Day (annual awareness initiative), and the Community Skin Health Journal (educational publication for underserved areas). Additional offerings include the GLODERM alliance for global health dermatology, ILDS Webinars and educational resources, quarterly newsletters, grant programmes, and regional training initiatives. The organization also publishes the ILDS Member Initiatives Directory and supports global dermatology research through various atlases covering conditions like psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, and vitiligo.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• World Congress of Dermatology (WCD) The premier international dermatology congress bringing together dermatologists worldwide, with the 26th edition scheduled for Guadalajara, Mexico in 2027. For ILDS member societies, dermatologists, and the global dermatology community.
• World Skin Health Day Annual global initiative to raise awareness, educate, provide care, and improve skin health around the world, held each July. For the global public, member societies, and underserved communities.
• Community Skin Health Journal (CSH Journal) Official journal of the International Foundation for Dermatology providing up-to-date dermatology information for healthcare workers in underserved areas. For healthcare workers and clinicians in resource-limited settings.
• GLODERM (International Alliance for Global Health Dermatology) Alliance connecting dermatologists focused on advancing skin health in resource-limited communities through sustainable approaches to clinical care, education, research, policy, and advocacy. For dermatologists and trainees working in or with global health settings.
• Regional Dermatology Training Centre A supra-regional training, research and clinical centre located in Moshi, Tanzania supporting dermatology education in Africa. For dermatology trainees, clinicians, and researchers in Africa and surrounding regions.
• Grant Programmes (DermLink) Financial support programs including DermLink grants supporting dermatology projects and initiatives worldwide. For member societies and partner organizations running skin health projects in underserved areas.
• Educational Resources Platform Comprehensive collection of webinars, journals, learning platforms, and educational tools published by ILDS and IFD, including GLODERM educational webinar series and podcast 'Stories of our Skin'. For dermatologists, trainees, and healthcare workers globally.
• Global Atlases (GPA, GADA, GHiSA, GLOVA) International epidemiological research publications including the Global Psoriasis Atlas, Global Atopic Dermatitis Atlas, Global Hidradenitis Suppurativa Atlas, and Global Vitiligo Atlas. For researchers, clinicians, and policy makers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4.5 million people reached and 3,900+ underserved patients treated during World Skin Health Day 2025 initiatives
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CeraVecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 October 2025CeraVe collaborated with ILDS and ISD on World Skin Health Day 2025 initiatives, expanding access to dermatological care across 9 countries. The initiative reached over 4.5 million people and provided dermatological services to more than 3,900 underserved patients.
• International Society of Dermatology (ISD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 October 2025ISD partnered with ILDS and CeraVe for World Skin Health Day 2025, contributing to global outreach across 9 countries treating underserved patients with dermatological conditions.
• World Health Organization (WHO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerILDS holds official relations status with WHO and works closely across multiple areas. ILDS is the only skin specialist organization in official relations with the WHO, enabling representation at the highest global health policy level.
• Global Albinism AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Global Albinism Alliance and Standing Voice to host the World Forum on Skin Cancer Prevention and Management in Persons with Albinism in Cape Town, South Africa (October 2025), bringing together stakeholders from 30 countries.
• Standing VoicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStanding Voice co-hosted the World Forum on Skin Cancer Prevention in Persons with Albinism with ILDS and Global Albinism Alliance. Standing Voice runs programmes in Tanzania and Malawi reaching 13,000+ persons with albinism across 300+ clinic sites.
• Pierre Fabre FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPierre Fabre Foundation supported the World Forum on Skin Cancer Prevention and Management in Persons with Albinism and runs Côte d'Ivoire programmes for persons with albinism integrating dermatological, surgical, psychosocial, vision and educational support.
• ISDINminorGTM or Marketing PartnerISDIN supported the World Forum on Skin Cancer Prevention and Management in Persons with Albinism, helping make the forum possible.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Union for International Cancer Control (UICC): Global membership organization convening cancer societies with WHO relations and large international congresses. Comparable in mission to elevate a disease area in global health policy through a member society network.
• Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI): Public-private global health partnership with WHO relations that channels funding and policy influence for immunization. Comparable in operating model as a global health NGO that converts policy wins into programmatic funding at scale.
• American Academy of Dermatology (AAD): Largest national dermatology association with global influence. Comparable as a professional dermatology membership organization running education, advocacy, and member services, though focused primarily on the US market.

Others

• World Health Organization (WHO): ILDS's primary policy counterpart and the body in which ILDS holds official relations. Relevant peer because ILDS's value proposition is fundamentally tied to its access to and influence within the WHO governance ecosystem.
• Pierre Fabre Foundation: Pharma-backed foundation supporting dermatology programs in resource-limited settings, including albinism initiatives. Comparable as a funder and operator of dermatology humanitarian programs that complements ILDS's mission.

Direct peers

• International Society of Nephrology (ISN): Global medical society for kidney disease with WHO relations, training programs in low-resource settings, and member society model. Highly comparable structure to ILDS for an unrelated medical specialty.
• International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE): International medical league organized similarly to ILDS, with national society membership, WHO relations, global congresses, and educational programs for an underserved specialty. Highly comparable structure and operating model.
• International Federation of Psoriasis Associations (IFPA): Global patient and society federation focused on psoriasis with WHO relations. Comparable in operating as an umbrella body advocating for a specific skin condition at the global health policy level.
• European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV): Leading European dermatology and venereology society running congresses, education, and advocacy. Directly comparable membership model and program portfolio to ILDS, though regional rather than global in primary scope.
• International Society of Dermatology (ISD): Global dermatology society that co-partnered with ILDS on World Skin Health Day 2025. Comparable in mission to advance dermatology worldwide and in membership-based operating model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ildsderm
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-international-league-of-dermatological-societies

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The International League of Dermatological Societies