Andrea Lobo, PhD, science writer —

Andrea Lobo holds a Biology degree, and a PhD in Cell Biology/Neurosciences from the University of Coimbra-Portugal, where she studied stroke biology. She was a postdoctoral and senior researcher at the Institute for Research and Innovation in Health in Porto, in drug addiction, studying neuronal plasticity induced by amphetamines. As a research scientist for 19 years, Andrea participated in academic projects in multiple research fields, from stroke, gene regulation, cancer, and rare diseases. She authored multiple research papers in peer-reviewed journals. She shifted towards a career in science writing and communication in 2022.

Articles by Andrea Lobo

SPL84 therapy on FDA fast track for CF due to splicing mutation

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted fast track designation to SPL84, an experimental inhalation therapy for people with cystic fibrosis (CF) caused by the 3849+10 kb C-to-T mutation in the CFTR gene. The designation is given to accelerate the development and review of therapies meant to address unmet…

Access to Trikafta almost exclusive to high-income countries: Study

Four years after the approval of Trikafta (elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor) for cystic fibrosis (CF), global disparities in access to the treatment remain and mainly affect low- and middle-income countries, according to a recent study. “The extent of international disparities, in combination with the high price, suggested that without urgent action,…

Inflammation in pancreas among risk factors for this cancer with CF

A history of pancreatic inflammation, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer in people with cystic fibrosis (CF), according to a large database report. These patients also had a higher prevalence of known risk factors for pancreatic cancer, including smoking, alcohol consumption,…

Liver disease related to CF linked to changes in fecal bacteria

People with advanced liver disease associated with cystic fibrosis (CF) have more pro-inflammatory bacteria in their feces relative to those without CF- associated liver disease, a study shows. The findings suggest similar changes in the gut microbiota, or the populations of friendly microbes that naturally live in the intestines. This…

Clarametyx raises $33M to develop non-antibiotic CF treatment

Clarametyx Biosciences has completed a $33 million financing round to support its development of CMTX-101, a non-antibiotic treatment candidate for persistent bacterial infections in people with cystic fibrosis (CF). The funding contributed to the start of a Phase 1b/2a clinical trial of CMTX-101 as an adjunct therapy to standard-of-care…

BX004 wins orphan drug status for CF-related pulmonary infections

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted orphan drug status to BX004, BiomX’s inhaled phage therapy being developed for chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa pulmonary infections in people with cystic fibrosis (CF). The designation seeks to encourage new therapies for rare diseases, those affecting fewer than 200,000…