The patient organisation DEBRA CZ, which is celebrating 25 years of activity this year, has long been a vital source of support for people living with epidermolysis bullosa and for their families. Through its work, it helps raise awareness of this rare and very painful condition, supports patients and their loved ones, and connects their needs with expert and clinical care.
For the CREATIC Centre of Excellence, cooperation with DEBRA CZ is important above all because it helps us better understand what patients truly need. Our goal is to translate these needs into concrete research and development activities that may lead to new therapeutic options in the future and improve the quality of life of people living with epidermolysis bullosa.
At CREATIC, we focus on the research, development, and manufacturing of advanced therapy medicinal products. In the field of EB, we are working to offer patients new approaches based on cell therapies and to further develop these approaches so that they are as effective as possible while also being as gentle as possible.
One of the key directions is our work with mesenchymal stem cells, which are obtained from the adipose tissue of healthy donors. In cooperation with Brno University Hospital, we have prepared a clinical trial in which these cells are administered locally by intradermal injection directly into EB lesions. The aim of this approach is to verify the safety of the medicinal product and to obtain initial data on its potential efficacy.
In terms of safety, the product has so far proven to be safe. The evaluation of the pilot efficacy data is still ongoing, but it is already clear that this approach provides an important foundation for further treatment development.
Our ambition is not to stop with a single approach. On the contrary, we are building on the current development and seeking further possibilities to enhance therapeutic effect and provide patients with more comfortable administration and potentially broader therapeutic benefit.
As prof. Lenka Zdražilová Dubská explains: “I am very pleased that at the Faculty of Medicine of Masaryk University we have the opportunity to develop and manufacture advanced therapy medicinal products. We are able to work with somatic cell therapies based on cells, in this case allogeneic cells, meaning donor cells. In cooperation with Brno University Hospital, we have prepared a clinical trial with mesenchymal stem cells obtained from the adipose tissue of healthy donors. The principle of the study is the local intradermal administration of a small number of cells into EB lesions in order to verify safety and obtain pilot efficacy data. In terms of safety, the product has proven to be safe, while the pilot efficacy data are still being evaluated. We would like to build on the current study and are striving to make the effect as efficient as possible. One option is the intravenous administration of a larger number of donor-derived mesenchymal cells, which travel through the bloodstream to wounds but may also act on lesions in organs. Another possible route is through the secretome, where proteins, peptides, and exosomes produced by mesenchymal cells may subsequently act on the wound.”
These words clearly reflect the direction of our work. In addition to local administration, we are now developing other possible routes as well. One of them is the intravenous administration of a larger number of mesenchymal cells, which could offer not only a more comfortable route of delivery but also the potential to act on other affected tissues, including internal organs.
Another direction is the use of the mesenchymal cell secretome, meaning the substances these cells naturally release into their surroundings. Proteins, peptides, and exosomes may play an important role in supporting the healing and regeneration of damaged tissue.
Epidermolysis bullosa brings daily pain, difficult wound healing, and many limitations that affect every aspect of life. This is why it is so important for us to develop solutions that may have a real impact on future patient care.
At CREATIC, we therefore focus not only on research itself, but on finding practical ways to translate scientific knowledge into therapeutic approaches that may be beneficial to patients in real clinical practice. We deeply value the opportunity to share this path with DEBRA CZ, Brno University Hospital, and other expert partners.
Our shared goal is to support patients today while continuing to develop new options that may bring them greater hope for the future.
In April 2026, the Centre of Excellence CREATIC will officially open its newly renovated premises. The expansion represents an important milestone in strengthening infrastructure for advanced therapies with one clear objective: improving access to innovative and safe treatment options for patients.
