London: An Indian-origin British scientist today became the first recipient in the field of dermatology to have been conferred with an honorary Professorship by a prestigious French University for the remarkable results of his first beauty tablet. Kartar Lalvani, founder chairman of the Vitabiotics, Britain's largest vitamin producer, was conferred the honorary Professorship of the leading French University and Centre for dermatologic Research, part of a 900-year-old medical institute at Besancon, University of Franche Comte. "This is only the second time in the history of this renowned University that an honorary Professorship has been awarded to a British scientist," a spokesman of the University said.

"It is also the first time ever that such an award has been given to a British scientist in the field of dermatology by the institute which is a global centre of excellence," he said. In his acceptance speech Lalvani said, "I am delighted at the innovative research collaboration between Vitabiotics, and leading dermatologist Professor Philippe Humbert's renowned research centre that has created highly original discoveries on winter skin ageing." He said the discovery was followed by Vitabuiotics innovation in how to prevent the winter skin ageing through the micronutrient speciality of Perfectil, a beauty supplement for skin, hair and nails. "Ours is the first British company to bring transformative innovation to dermatology and cosmetics - an area where France has always been and remains predominant - so of course for us a French scientific partner was a natural choice," Lalvani said.