SPARK Finland - DecoDerma

We have discovered a systemically administered peptide (tCRK) that homes to skin and skin wounds and penetrates into skin. Generation of a recombinant, multi-functional fusion protein of tCRK and an extracellular matrix protein decorin (DCN), a natural transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) inhibitor, resulted in a skin-homing therapeutic molecule (DCN-tCRK). Treatment of lethal skin disease, recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) mice with systemic DCN-tCRK administration resulted in inhibition of TGF-β signaling in the skin and significant improvement in the survival of RDEB mice.
The intention of this project is to perform preclinical drug development in order to enter clinical trials in EB. EB is a rare disease and we intend apply for Orphan Drug Designation. We believe that our therapeutic approach, systemically administered molecule, yet skin-specifhas the potential to be utilized as a novel drug treatment for the treatment of dermatological diseases such as RDEB.