A first-of-its-kind drug that could change the course of cystic fibrosis now will advance on an accelerated path to clinical development. The compound called VX-770 targets CF at the molecular level.

Thanks to a new $13.3 million award from Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics, Inc. (CFFT) to Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, researchers may be able to evaluate the drug in clinical trials later this year. VX-770 appears to restore the function of the protein that causes CF cells to be defective.

Vertex began its CF research program in May 2000 with CF Foundation support. Since then, Vertex and CFFT, the Foundation's drug development subsidiary, have collaborated to discover and develop compounds for CF.

Posted 03/23/06