IntegriGen launches non-viral cell therapy push for dystrophic EB

BioSolution Designs has launched IntegriGen, a new company focused on engineered cell therapies for dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa. The lead program uses non-viral fibroblast engineering and the RAPTOR OS manufacturing platform to try to deliver durable Collagen VII expression in patients with the skin disease.

Why it matters: - Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa is caused by COL7A1 mutations that reduce functional Collagen VII, weakening the skin’s anchoring layer. - IntegriGen is trying to improve on wound-by-wound treatment approaches by aiming for sustained local protein expression. - The company is targeting durability, manufacturability and safety in a disease where prior therapies have already validated the underlying biology.

What happened: - BioSolution Designs announced the launch of IntegriGen, a virtually integrated pharmaceutical company focused on next-generation engineered cell therapies for dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa. - IntegriGen is based in Boulder, Colorado, and the announcement was dated Sept. 3, 2026. - The company’s lead program uses non-viral DNA to engineer patient-derived fibroblasts through the RAPTOR OS manufacturing workflow. - IntegriGen also plans preliminary cell-only studies of a follow-on allogeneic mesenchymal stem cell candidate for large open wounds.

The details: - The engineered fibroblasts are intended for delivery to pre-wound and wounded skin. - The cells are designed to continuously restore functional COL7 expression. - The therapeutic gene network is intended to integrate into the fibroblast genome so daughter cells continue producing functional COL7. - The company says that design could support sustained protein expression and stronger dermal-epidermal junctions. - IntegriGen has exclusively licensed BSD’s RAPTOR OS for COL7-associated DEB investigations. - The integrated system combines gene delivery, genome integration and modification, gene-expression control, effector engineering and scalable biomanufacturing. - IntegriGen says its lead program is an autologous fibroblast candidate built around local dermal delivery and the RAPTOR OS system. - The company is also evaluating engineered allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells as a separate off-the-shelf product.

Between the lines: - Founder and Chairman Thomas D. Reed said the field has already established that DEB can be addressed genetically. - Reed said the remaining question is whether non-viral engineered fibroblasts can produce enough therapeutic protein, persist long enough and do so safely enough to support clinical development. - The company is taking a fibroblast-first development strategy, which suggests it sees autologous cells as the clearest path to early progress. - A second cell type is being studied in parallel, which could widen the platform if the fibroblast approach proves workable. - John Maslowski has joined the Board of Directors, bringing advanced-therapy and fibroblast-manufacturing experience, including work on an earlier fibroblast therapy program through the Fibrocell–Intrexon collaboration. - The team also includes Erin Collins, Wil Thompson, Stephen Schauer, PhD, and Michael Linsner.

What's next: - IntegriGen plans to advance the fibroblast program while conducting early studies on the allogeneic mesenchymal stem cell candidate. - The company will need to show that the engineered cells can persist, express Collagen VII and support a viable manufacturing path. - The launch positions IntegriGen as a new venture built from BSD’s venture creation platform, with patient-focused messaging and an eye toward clinical development.

The bottom line: - IntegriGen is betting that non-viral fibroblast engineering plus a scalable manufacturing platform can turn DEB biology into a durable cell therapy candidate.