BETHESDA, Md. -- Today, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation announced it has awarded up to $3.3 million to Polyphor AG to develop an inhaled version of murepavadin, an antibiotic that targets multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in people with cystic fibrosis. About 17% of individuals with CF who had Pseudomonas infections last year had multi-drug resistant strains.1
Funding will support a Phase 1b/2a clinical trial of inhaled murepavadin in adults with cystic fibrosis, which is expected to start in the fourth quarter of 2021 following a study in healthy volunteers.
An inhaled version could make it easier for someone with a Pseudomonas infection to take the drug from home. In addition, the drug, which targets the outer membrane of bacteria, specifically focuses on Pseudomonas, which might have certain advantages over broad-spectrum antibiotics.
“A significant number of people with CF have multi-drug resistant strains of Pseudomonas each year that require IV antibiotics and hospitalization,” said JP Clancy, MD, vice president of clinical research at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. “We hope to determine if the inhaled version of this new medicine could provide an alternative treatment option for people with CF that could potentially reduce their treatment burden.”
The CF Foundation's Commitment to Infection Research
People with CF who have chronic infections are at greater risk for worsening lung disease and death, and infection remains a top concern of both patients and clinicians. Many individuals also suffer severe side effects from long-term antibiotic use and are at increased risk of developing antibiotic-resistant infections.
In 2018, the CF Foundation dedicated $100 million through 2023 to its Infection Research Initiative as part of a sweeping effort to advance infection research. Currently, the CF Foundation is funding 13 new industry programs to develop treatments for CF-related infections and is advocating for Congress to create solutions that promote a robust, sustainable pipeline of antibiotics.
Beyond research into novel anti-infectives, the CF Foundation is focused on advancing the next generation of transformative therapies to address complications, treat the underlying cause of CF for every person, and find a cure. Innovators who are interested in pursuing programs in cystic fibrosis can learn about our specific funding opportunities, including the Infection Research Initiative.
About the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is the world's leader in the search for a cure for cystic fibrosis. The Foundation funds more CF research than any other organization, and nearly every CF drug available today was made possible because of Foundation support. Based in Bethesda, Md., the Foundation also supports and accredits a national care center network that has been recognized by the National Institutes of Health as a model of care for a chronic disease. The CF Foundation is a donor-supported nonprofit organization. For more information, visit cff.org.
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Suzie Conway
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