LEO Pharma and non-profit organisation DEBRA Research have announced a collaboration aimed at accelerating the development of treatments for epidermolysis bullosa (EB).

The non-exclusive strategic partnership will combine LEO’s experience in medical dermatology with DEBRA’s focus on EB patient care and pharmaceutical experience.

Though financial details of the alliance have not been disclosed, the partners said they are hoping to “enhance scouting capabilities and provide additional capacity to accelerate the development of life-changing therapies for EB”.

There is currently no cure for EB, a group of rare and painful inherited skin disorders that cause the skin to become very fragile and tear or blister very easily. Treatments are limited to relieving symptoms and preventing complications developing, such as infection.

Jacob Pontoppidan Thyssen, chief scientific officer and executive vice president at LEO, said: “Having personally cared for patients with severe EB, I have experienced the devastating consequences firsthand.”

He continued: “We are proud to collaborate with DEBRA Research, whose vast experience in the pharmaceutical industry and commitment to advancing medical research are invaluable. Together, we can do so much more.”

Also commenting on the partnership, Hubert Truebel, managing director at DEBRA Research, said: “This collaboration provides an excellent opportunity for us to combine our expertise and resources, enabling us to make meaningful advancements in the battle against EB. We are excited about the potential impact of this partnership…”

The announcement comes just two months after LEO received approval from the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency for its Anzupgo (delgocitinib) cream in chronic hand eczema. The treatment was specifically authorised for use in adults with moderate-to-severe cases of the inflammatory skin disease for whom topical corticosteroids are inadequate or inappropriate.