Abeona, Lurie Children’s opens first center for ZEVASKYN gene therapy

Abeona Therapeutics (ABEO) and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago announced that Lurie Children’s is now activated as the first Qualified Treatment Center for ZEVASKYN gene-modified cellular sheets. This groundbreaking therapy will be used to treat wounds associated with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa – a rare skin disorder characterized by severe, painful wounds that can lead to systemic complications impacting the length and quality of life. Lurie Children’s has completed QTC start-up activities enabling it to begin patient identification for scheduling of ZEVASKYN treatment. Treatments are expected to begin in the third quarter of 2025. On April 29, 2025, Abeona announced approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for ZEVASKYN as the first and only autologous cell-based gene therapy for the treatment of wounds in adult and pediatric patients with RDEB. There is no cure for RDEB and ZEVASKYN is the only FDA-approved product to treat RDEB wounds with a single application.