Abeona Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: ABEO), a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company developing genetic medicines for serious diseases with high unmet need, today announced the activation of University of Florida Health (UF Health) in Gainesville, Florida, as the eighth Qualified Treatment Center (QTC) for the administration of ZEVASKYN (prademagene zamikeracel) gene-modified cellular sheets. ZEVASKYN is the first and only autologous gene-modified cellular sheets for the treatment of wounds in patients with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB).
“Activation of UF Health as a QTC represents an important step in expanding access to ZEVASKYN for patients living with RDEB in Florida and the Southeastern United States,” said Dr. Madhav Vasanthavada, Chief Commercial Officer of Abeona. “UF Health is widely recognized for its leadership in dermatology and multidisciplinary patient care, and we are excited to partner with them to bring this innovative gene therapy to eligible children and adult patients in need.”
“The University of Florida Health is now the sole treatment center for ZEVASKYN across the Southeastern United States. This new gene therapy expands the treatment armamentarium for managing epidermolysis bullosa, with the goal of improving skin healing and patient quality of life,” said Michael Lavery, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Dermatology at the University of Florida and Director of the University of Florida Epidermolysis Bullosa Multidisciplinary Clinic.
“ZEVASKYN brings together the expertise of our Pediatric Surgery and Burn teams and highlights the collaborative care model that defines UF Health. We are proud to partner with Abeona Therapeutics to expand access to specialized treatment for patients with epidermolysis bullosa,” said Dr. Shawn Larson, M.D., Professor and Chief of the Division of Pediatric Surgery at the University of Florida. UF Health has already initiated patient identification and onboarding activities and is working with Abeona to support treatment access for eligible patients. For more information about receiving ZEVASKYN treatment at UF Health, contact the UF Health Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) Clinic in Gainesville by calling (352) 594-1500, or by email at eb-clinic@ufl.edu. For more information, visit: https://dermatology.med.ufl.edu/patient-care/epidermolysis-bullosa-ebclinic/
For more information on how to access ZEVASKYN and learn about patient support services offered through Abeona Assist™, Abeona’s comprehensive patient support program, visit
www.abeonaassist.com, call 1-855-ABEONA-1 (1-855-223-6621) or email MyNavigator@AbeonaAssist.com. Abeona Assist offers personalized support, including helping eligible
patients understand their insurance benefits and financial assistance options, and providing travel and logistical assistance.