DEBRA Research and Nonsense Therapeutics Form ReadOn Therapeutics to Advance Epidermolysis Bullosa Treatments
Key Insights
DEBRA Research (search) and Nonsense Therapeutics (search) have launched ReadOn Therapeutics (search), a non-profit company focused on developing treatments for epidermolysis bullosa (search), particularly dystrophic EB (search) caused by defective type VII collagen (search).
The company will develop small molecules targeting nonsense mutations in the collagen VII gene (search), which affect approximately one-third of patients with recessive dystrophic EB (search) and often cause the most severe disease cases.
ReadOn Therapeutics (search) plans to complete comprehensive preclinical programs and IND-enabling studies with the goal of being ready for clinical trials within three years.
DEBRA Research (search) gGmbH and Nonsense Therapeutics (search) announced the formation of ReadOn Therapeutics (search), a pioneering non-profit company dedicated to advancing treatments for epidermolysis bullosa (search) (EB), with an initial focus on dystrophic EB (search), one of the more severe forms of the rare genetic condition caused by defective type VII collagen (search).
The joint venture represents a unique collaboration between patient advocacy and biotech innovation, designed to progress promising preclinical science through critical early development stages and de-risk programs for clinical advancement.
Targeting Nonsense Mutations in Severe EB Cases
ReadOn Therapeutics (search) will focus on developing small molecules that target nonsense mutations in the collagen VII gene (search), which affect approximately one-third of patients with recessive dystrophic EB (search). These mutations lead to incomplete, non-functional protein products and often cause the most severe cases of the disease.
The therapeutic approach aims to target the translation machinery to enable full protein expression, with the goal of restoring type VII collagen (search) production that could significantly reduce or potentially suppress disease symptoms. The company plans to carry out comprehensive preclinical programs and IND-enabling studies, intending to be ready for clinical trials in less than three years.
"As the father of a child with dystrophic EB (search), I know firsthand the urgency of finding new treatments," said Alex Hersham, Managing Director of ReadOn Therapeutics (search) and Co-founder of Nonsense Therapeutics (search). "ReadOn Therapeutics was born from that urgency – a patient-driven mission that combines the power of advocacy, cutting-edge science, and entrepreneurial execution."
Innovative Non-Profit Biotech Model
ReadOn Therapeutics (search) operates under a unique structure that allows it to fund and advance multiple preclinical programs in parallel, in ways that traditional biotech or non-profit models cannot. The company can compare and evaluate several therapeutic approaches from diverse sources, selecting the most promising candidates for accelerated advancement into early clinical trials.
This model creates multiple pathways, including spin-out opportunities that could attract venture capital and out-licensing opportunities for interested pharmaceutical and biotech companies.
"Through this innovative model, DEBRA Research (search) consolidates drug development activities for read-through molecules within a dedicated non-profit biotech," explained Dr. Martin Steiner, Managing Director of ReadOn Therapeutics (search) and DEBRA Research. "This structure allows us to focus resources and expertise on advancing promising therapeutic strategies that could benefit many patients in urgent need of effective treatment."
Broader Implications for Rare Disease Treatment
Since nonsense mutations cause not only EB but also many other genetic diseases, the therapeutic approach being developed by ReadOn Therapeutics (search) could potentially be translated to other rare conditions if successful. Nonsense mutations account for an estimated 10-12% of rare genetic conditions worldwide, according to Nonsense Therapeutics (search).
The initiative addresses critical gaps in the therapeutic landscape of EB while serving as a blueprint for future focused initiatives and a catalyst for collaboration with scientists, entrepreneurs, biotechs, and pharmaceutical companies driving rare disease innovation.
DEBRA Research (search), established as the research arm of DEBRA Austria in 1995, collaborates globally with academia, biotech, pharma, patient organizations, and regulatory bodies to drive innovation in EB treatment development. The organization focuses on translational research and clinical development to address unmet needs of people living with EB, working toward a "world without EB."