Daniela Semedo, PhD,  —

Researchers at the University of Geneva  discovered that a protein of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, called Host factor q (Hfq), reacts with metals and helps the bacteria gain resistance to multiple classes of antibiotics. P. aeruginosa is an opportunistic bacterial pathogen that causes serious and diverse infections  by producing a broad range of virulence…

Pharmaxis announced that Bronchitol (mannitol) has been approved in Russia for the treatment of both pediatric and adult patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), the largest market to date for the medication with this indication. Bronchitol is also approved to treat pediatric and adult CF patients (older than age 6) in Australia, and…

Penn State researchers developed a fluorescent sensor able to easily and accurately detect salt concentrations in the sweat or other bodily fluids. Based on citric acid molecules, the sensor is highly sensitive and selective for chloride, the main diagnostic marker for cystic fibrosis (CF), and may enable rapid and low-cost…

Raptor Pharmaceuticals recently presented the results of a meta-analysis comparing the effectiveness of inhaled antibiotics for cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infections. The results, presented in London at the 2016 International Congress of the European Respiratory Society (ERS), showed that the company’s levofloxacin inhalation solution Quinsair was comparable in…

Proteostasis Therapeutics  announced it is now enrolling cystic fibrosis patients and healthy adults in two Phase 1 clinical trials evaluating its lead drug candidate PTI-428. PTI-428 is an oral amplifier of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. Amplifiers are CFTR modulators that selectively increase the amount of an…

The Japanese Patent Office has granted AmpliPhi Biosciences a patent for the “Beneficial effects of bacteriophage treatments” targeting Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. A similar patent has already been granted in the United States and a request for one has been filed in Canada. In Australia and in the European…

New four-dimensional computed tomography (4DCT) for lung scans, developed by Professor Andreas Fouras at Monash University, offers the potential to revolutionize treatment for the millions of patients worldwide with lung diseases like cystic fibrosis. The 4DxV X-ray imaging technology, developed and commercialized by Professor Fouras’ technology company 4Dx, provides a state-of-the-art, noninvasive…

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation hosted more than 100 researchers from various fields at its “New Technologies Advancing Toward a One-time Cure”  conference last month to debate how new research and treatments for genetic diseases across the  board could lead to a cure for cystic fibrosis (CF), an inherited condition in which the lungs and digestive system can…

ProQR Therapeutics announced that QR-010, an inhaled therapy it is developing to treat cystic fibrosis patients with the ∆F508 mutation in the CFTR gene (the gene that is defective in CF), has received Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to speed its testing and review. The drug is now being…

Pharmaxis announced that it has completed recruiting adult patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) for its large and potentially pivotal  Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating Bronchitol (mannitol) as an inhaled treatment.  The company expects to report results in the second quarter of 2017. Based on those results, the company will apply for U.S. Food and Drug…