EB Research Institute Establishes Strategic Advisory Board to Accelerate Development of Therapies for Patients with EB

Renowned experts from clinical medicine, biotechnology, intellectual property, research, finance and corporate governance appointed to support the Institute's long-term scientific and strategic development.

Salzburg, Austria - 18 August 2026 - EB Research Institute (EBRI), a leading non-profit research organization and a joint venture between DEBRA Austria and SALK (Salzburger Landeskliniken), dedicated to developing innovative therapies for Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), today announced the establishment of its Strategic Advisory Board. The newly formed board brings together distinguished leaders from clinical research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, intellectual property, corporate governance, and academic medicine to provide independent strategic guidance and support EB RI's mission of translating scientific discoveries into treatments for patients living with EB.

The Advisory Board has been established in accordance with the shareholder agreement of EB Research Institute and will serve as an independent body providing strategic, scientific, and operational advice to the management team. The Board will review research strategy, assess development opportunities, contribute external perspectives on risks and challenges, and support the Institute's long-term growth and impact in rare disease research.

The Advisory Board is chaired by Professor Martin Laimer, Professor of Dermatology and Deputy Head of the Department of Dermatology and Allergology at University Hospital Salzburg, and internationally recognized expert in Epidermolysis Bullosa and rare diseases. Other members include Peter Llewellyn-Davies, President of Biotech Austria and experienced biotech executive; Dr Bernd Muehlenweg, biotech and pharmaceutical business development leader; Dr Daniela Schoegl, leading intellectual property and patent attorney; Dr Barbara Wolff-Winiski, translational scientist and biotechnology entrepreneur; and Professor Annemarie Weissenbacher, Rector of Paracelsus Medical Private University Salzburg.

Leadership Commentary
Dr Rainer Riedl, Founder of EB Research Institute, commented:
“It is fantastic that the EB Research Institute has succeeded in taking top-class academic EB research to a new level. The new focus is clearly on the development of
medicines and therapies, embedded within an international network of academic institutions and industry partners. The Strategic Advisory Board that has now been established plays a crucial role in this endeavor. As the father of a butterfly child and founder of the patient organization DEBRA Austria, I feel very encouraged by this development.”

Dr Hana Cernecka, Managing Director of EB Research Institute, commented:
"The establishment of our Strategic Advisory Board marks an important milestone in the development of EB Research Institute. We are honored to bring together such an accomplished group of experts whose collective experience spans clinical care, scientific innovation, biotechnology development, intellectual property, and corporate governance. Their guidance will strengthen our ability to advance promising research into meaningful therapeutic opportunities for patients affected by Epidermolysis Bullosa."

Professor Martin Laimer, Chair of the Advisory Board, added:
"EB Research Institute has established itself as a highly respected organization within the international EB community. The Advisory Board brings together complementary expertise that can support the Institute's scientific excellence and strategic ambitions. I look forward to working with my fellow Advisory Board members and the management team to help accelerate the development of innovative therapies for patients living with EB."

Details about the Strategic Advisory Board