Relief Therapeutics announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Rare Pediatric Disease (RPD) designation to its investigational therapy RLF-TD011 for the treatment of epidermolysis bullosa (EB). This designation follows the FDA's previous grant of Orphan Drug Designation for the same indication.
EB is a rare genetic skin disorder characterized by extreme skin fragility, leading to blistering and chronic wounds from minor friction or injury. The condition affects approximately 500,000 individuals worldwide and can significantly impact quality of life, particularly in severe cases where blisters may develop in internal organs such as the mouth or esophagus.
RLF-TD011 represents a novel approach to EB wound management. The therapy is a differentiated, hypotonic acid-oxidizing solution formulated with hypochlorous acid, designed to deliver potent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity while creating a wound microenvironment conducive to healing.
"The FDA's decision to grant Rare Pediatric Disease designation to RLF-TD011 underscores both the critical need for new options for patients living with EB and the potential of our investigational therapy," said Giorgio Reiner, Chief Scientific Officer of Relief Therapeutics. "We look forward to continued engagement with the FDA and to sharing the next steps in our development plan following our upcoming pre-IND meeting."
Promising Clinical Findings
Relief Therapeutics has previously reported promising clinical findings supporting RLF-TD011's potential to meaningfully advance EB wound care. The therapy has demonstrated the ability to modulate the wound microbiome and reduce pathogenic colonization without disrupting beneficial bacteria.
The company's proprietary TEHCLO™ technology has enabled the development of a highly pure, stabilized hypochlorous acid solution with strong antimicrobial properties. RLF-TD011 is designed as a sprayable, self-administered solution for targeted wound application that avoids skin contact and cross-contamination.
In an investigator-initiated trial (NCT05533866), RLF-TD011 has shown promising results in infection control and wound healing in EB patients with the most severe forms of the disease. The therapy aims to address unmet needs in EB care by efficiently controlling infection and inflammation while reducing antibiotic use and easing the intensive, time-consuming wound care routine required by current treatments.
Significance of Rare Pediatric Disease Designation
The FDA grants RPD designation to product candidates targeting serious or life-threatening diseases that primarily affect individuals aged 18 years or younger and impact fewer than 200,000 people in the U.S. This designation could potentially lead to significant benefits for Relief Therapeutics.
Companies that receive marketing approval for an RPD-designated indication may be eligible—subject to certain conditions, including congressional reauthorization of the program for designations granted after December 20, 2024—to receive a Priority Review Voucher (PRV). These vouchers grant expedited FDA review for a future marketing application and are transferable, potentially representing substantial value. In May 2025, a PRV awarded following the approval of a treatment for a rare form of EB was sold for $155 million.
Understanding Epidermolysis Bullosa
EB is classified into several major inherited subtypes, each defined by the depth of blister formation within the skin's layers: epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS), dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB), junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB), and Kindler syndrome (KS).
Current treatment approaches are intensive and include wound care, infection prevention, and pain management. The condition presents significant challenges for patients and caregivers, with limited therapeutic options available that address the underlying pathophysiology.
Future Development Plans
Relief Therapeutics plans to seek Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) designation for RLF-TD011, which could provide extended market exclusivity. The company is preparing for its upcoming pre-IND meeting with the FDA, after which it will share the next steps in its development plan.
Relief Therapeutics is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The company is dedicated to advancing treatment paradigms and improving the lives of patients with rare and debilitating diseases, with core expertise in drug delivery systems and drug repurposing. Relief's clinical pipeline includes innovative treatments designed to address critical unmet medical needs in rare dermatological, metabolic, and respiratory conditions.
