Infrastructure projects

 

Preclinical EB CRO

Drug development for EB is often slowed by limited access to disease-specific preclinical models and testing platforms. To address this, this infrastructure initiative provides standardized in vitro and in vivo models, assay development, and efficacy testing across a wide range of EB-relevant systems.

DEBRA research supports the teams of Dr. Emanuel Rognoni and Dr. Matthew Caley at Queen Mary University of London in building the infrastructure required to test promising EB drug candidates in relevant preclinical systems. Based at the Centre for Cell Biology and Cutaneous Research within QMUL’s Blizard Institute, the groups offer a wide range of EB-specific models and testing platforms, supported by extensive expertise in skin biology and disease.

The collaboration aims to make the preclinical capabilities of Dr. Caley’s and Dr. Rognoni’s teams accessible to the wider EB research community – including academic laboratories, biotech, and pharmaceutical companies. By enabling access to standardized, high-quality preclinical data, the Preclinical EB CRO accelerates translational progress and strengthens regulatory readiness, ultimately helping to bring effective new therapies for EB closer to patients.

 

Epidermolysis Bullosa Trial Site Support

Clinical trials are indispensable to develop new treatments for Epidernolysis Bullosa (EB) patients. However, in a rare disease there are many challenges to conduct clinical trials in reasonable amount of time and in a high quality. To overcome this bottle neck and challenge over time, we will support clinical trial sites and work towards cooperation between different trial sites.

 

Our Support for the Groningen EB Trial Site

We provide targeted support to strengthen Groningen as a leading EB trial site in the Netherlands and internationally. Through resource-oriented, administrative, and logistical support—and by negotiating optimal trial conditions with sponsors—we help ensure that resources generated through successful trials are reinvested into the EB research infrastructure in Groningen, ultimately benefiting patients and advancing EB drug development.