The
Drug Development Pipeline shows three main categories of drugs -- those that are in preclinical development, clinical trials or approved for use.
Preclinical development refers to laboratory testing that is done before a drug is tested in people in clinical trials. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation lists companies that are developing the drugs instead of specific drugs at this stage, as the company sponsor may not have chosen which drug to move into clinical trials.
To be listed as a preclinical program on the pipeline, a program must have received an award from the Foundation committing at least $2 million or have received an award that includes payments that depend on the drug reaching clinical trials.
Drugs that are in Phase 1 and beyond are being tested in clinical trials within the
Therapeutics Development Network (TDN) and/or are being funded by the Foundation. Drugs are moved into the Phase 1 category on the pipeline once the sponsor has begun studies in people who have CF.
When a sponsor decides not to pursue further development, drugs are moved into the discontinued section of the pipeline. Eventually, they are removed from the website.
Medical devices such as pumps, nebulizers, and airway clearance devices are not listed on the pipeline.