New DEBRA-Dermaliq Collaboration Targets Enhanced Drug Delivery for Epidermolysis Bullosa

Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa | Image Credit: © DermNet

DEBRA Research and Dermaliq Therapeutics, Inc. announced today a new collaboration aimed at furthering and reshaping topical therapy for epidermolysis bullosa (EB).¹ The 2 organizations have formalized a strategic, non-exclusive partnership to explore and develop cutting-edge topical treatments for EB using Dermaliq’s proprietary hyliQ technology platform.

The alliance also includes a strategic investment from DEBRA Research into Dermaliq’s clinical development efforts.

Precision Without Contact

Central to the collaboration is Dermaliq’s hyliQ technology: a novel, touchless drug delivery system engineered to deposit active compounds into skin tissue without disturbing fragile or compromised skin.

According to Dermaliq CEO Frank Löscher, PhD, the partnership reflects a mutual commitment to serving patients who urgently need safer and more effective treatments.

"We are excited to join forces with DEBRA Research to bring our technology to an area of urgent and unmet medical need," said Löscher in a news release.¹ "This partnership underscores our shared commitment to addressing the urgent needs of people living with this debilitating disorder. 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."

A Pipeline Built Around EB’s Urgent Needs

The collaboration’s initial projects will target 2 of the most persistent burdens in EB: wound healing and itch relief. Both symptoms drastically impair quality of life and can lead to complications such as infection, inflammation, and scarring.² In addition to these symptom-targeted approaches, the partners will also explore prophylactic therapies designed to reduce the occurrence of skin damage and support structural skin resilience.

Redefining the Future of EB Therapy

"This partnership aligns closely with our mission to accelerate the development of effective, high-impact therapies for people living with EB," said Christoph Coch, MD, managing director at DEBRA Research.¹ "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. 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."

While EB is the immediate focus of this collaboration, the implications of the hyliQ platform could extend far beyond rare skin disorders. 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 has already demonstrated strong potential to improve bioavailability and tolerability in topical delivery, 2 persistent limitations of traditional dermatologic formulations.

References

1. DEBRA Research and Dermaliq enter into a strategic collaboration to advance cutaneous drug delivery for epidermolysis bullosa. News release. Globe Newswire. May 28, 2025. Accessed May 28, 2025. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/05/28/3089172/0/en/DEBRA-Research-and-Dermaliq-Enter-into-a-Strategic-Collaboration-to-Advance-Cutaneous-Drug-Delivery-for-Epidermolysis-Bullosa.html
2. Mellerio JE, Kiritsi D, Marinkovich MP, et al. Mapping the burden of severe forms of epidermolysis bullosa - Implications for patient management. JAAD Int. 2023;11:224-232. Published 2023 Mar 29. doi:10.1016/j.jdin.2023.02.016