DEBRA Research gGmbH, a global non-profit organization dedicated to advancing research and drug development for epidermolysis bullosa (EB), and Dermaliq Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage dermatology company, announced a strategic, non-exclusive collaboration to advance cutaneous drug delivery for EB patients. As part of the agreement, DEBRA Research has also made a strategic investment in Dermaliq.
Revolutionary Touchless Technology Platform
Central to the collaboration is Dermaliq's proprietary hyliQ® technology platform, which enables touchless delivery of novel drug therapies to fragile, sensitive or disease-affected skin. The technology is designed to deposit active compounds into skin tissue without disturbing compromised skin, offering critical therapeutic benefits for patients by delivering effective treatments while preserving the integrity of damaged tissue.
"Dermaliq's unique technology platform and clinical pipeline offer a promising approach to overcome the limitations of existing topical treatments, particularly for application on the damaged and fragile skin characteristic of EB," said Dr. Christoph Coch, Managing Director at DEBRA Research. "We believe this collaboration will play a pivotal role in advancing transformative therapies and improving both medical outcomes and quality of life for those affected by this devastating condition."
Addressing Critical Unmet Medical Needs
The partnership's initial programs will focus on developing innovative topical treatments and drug therapies for wound healing and itch relief, plus prophylactic therapies for people with EB. These symptoms drastically impair quality of life and can lead to complications such as infection, inflammation, and scarring.
EB is a group of rare and painful genetic skin disorders characterized by extremely fragile skin, leading to blisters and wounds from even minor friction or trauma. The condition significantly affects the daily lives of people living with it and is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality over time due to chronic wounds, infections, and complications involving internal organs. It is caused by mutations in one or more genes that encode proteins responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of the skin.
Technology Designed for Fragile Skin
Applied touchless, hyliQ® is designed specifically for conditions like EB, where the skin is exceptionally delicate and prone to blistering or damage from even minimal friction. The technology platform has demonstrated strong potential to improve bioavailability and tolerability in topical delivery, addressing persistent limitations of traditional dermatologic formulations.
"We are excited to join forces with DEBRA Research to bring our technology to an area of urgent and unmet medical need," said Frank Löscher, PhD, CEO of Dermaliq. "With its unique features and exceptional safety profile, hyliQ® is ideally suited for the touchless topical treatment of disease-affected and damaged skin. We look forward to the impact this collaboration can bring to the EB community and beyond."
Broader Clinical Applications
While EB is the immediate focus of this collaboration, Dermaliq's broader clinical pipeline includes assets in common and chronic conditions such as androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata, and general wound healing. The company's platform enables targeted absorption into skin structures with unmatched bioavailability and cutaneous tolerability, paving the way for first-in-class and best-in-class topical treatments with broad application across dermatology and rare disease indications.
Currently, there is no cure for EB, though novel treatments are being developed to manage symptoms, reduce pain, and improve quality of life. This collaboration represents a significant step forward in addressing the urgent needs of people living with this debilitating disorder through innovative drug delivery technology specifically designed for fragile skin conditions.
