Colorado Public Radio Features Story on Promising VX-770 Drug

December 2, 2008

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is making it possible to develop a promising new treatment for CF by funding pharmaceutical research, according to a report today heard on Colorado Public Radio. 

The story features an interview with Frank Accurso, M.D., director of the CF care center at the Children’s Hospital in Denver, Colo. A cystic fibrosis drug that could address the root cause of CF is moving forward because the Foundation made a significant investment of nearly $80 million, he said.

Accurso explained further: “Most drugs companies are interested in diabetes or hypertension or heart disease or cancer conditions that afflict millions of people.”

Accurso is the principal investigator of clinical trials for a potential CF drug known as VX-770. The drug is being developed and tested by Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated with support from the CF Foundation.

“We have some very, very exciting possibilities, “ said Accurso. “At least one (drug) so far looks very, very good in trials with patients with individuals with cystic fibrosis.”

In October, the CF Foundation announced that VX-770 showed positive results in a 28-day, Phase 2 clinical trial.

Listen to the full story.