Abeona Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: ABEO) announced the activation of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia as the sixth Qualified Treatment Center for administering ZEVASKYN (prademagene zamikeracel) gene-modified cellular sheets.

The activation expands access to the gene therapy treatment for patients with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa on the east coast. ZEVASKYN is the only autologous cell sheet-based gene therapy approved for treating wounds in adult and pediatric patients with RDEB.

"Activation of CHOP is a significant step forward for the Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa community expanding access to ZEVASKYN in the east coast," said Dr. Madhav Vasanthavada, Chief Commercial Officer of Abeona.

Dr. Marissa J. Perman, Section Chief of Dermatology and Director of the Epidermolysis Bullosa Multidisciplinary Clinic at CHOP, will lead the treatment center. The press release noted that Dr. Perman has been a paid consultant to Abeona Therapeutics.

RDEB is a rare blistering disorder without a cure, characterized by severe skin wounds that cause pain and can lead to systemic complications. Patients with RDEB have defects in both copies of the COL7A1 gene, preventing them from producing functioning type VII collagen necessary to anchor skin layers.

ZEVASKYN incorporates the functional type VII collagen-producing COL7A1 gene into a patient's own skin cells using a retroviral vector. The therapy has demonstrated wound healing and pain reduction with a single surgical application, according to the company.

Patients can contact the Epidermolysis Bullosa Multidisciplinary Clinic at CHOP for treatment information. The company also offers patient support services through its Abeona Assist program.