Marta Figueiredo, PhD, science writer —

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has awarded a total of $1.7 million in nine grants to research projects focused on tools and strategies to advance therapies for all cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, regardless of their underlying mutations. “There has been an explosion of scientific progress in novel technologies with…

Beyond Air has launched a pilot clinical trial evaluating its investigational therapy LungFit GO — inhaled nitric oxide that can be self-administrated at home — in adults with or without cystic fibrosis (CF) who have chronic, treatment-resistant lung infections caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). Eligible…

The first wave of COVID-19 in Europe severely disrupted access to care and raised stress and anxiety in people with rare diseases, negatively affecting their health and well-being, according to a survey conducted by Eurordis-Rare Diseases Europe. “People living with rare diseases in Europe have found themselves caught as collateral…

The Australian Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) has recommended that the costs of screening for mutations known to cause  cystic fibrosis (CF), spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), and fragile X syndrome be open to reimbursement for couples planning or in the early stages of pregnancy. Its favorable opinion…

A Phase 1b clinical trial evaluating Calithera Biosciences’ investigational oral therapy CB-280 is recruiting adults with cystic fibrosis (CF) and chronic airway infections at several U.S. sites. The trial’s design, along with CB-280’s preclinical data, was presented by Joel D. Mermis, MD, of the University…

The frequency of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis (CF) in the U.K. remained stable from 2016 to 2018, but substantially higher than at the start of the decade, according to a recent study. Data also showed that allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA)…

Nonprofit Emily’s Entourage has awarded a total of $790,000 to four research projects focused on potential therapies for cystic fibrosis (CF) and related lung infections. To be given over two years, the four grants “focus on two critical unmet needs for the CF community: therapies that address nonsense…

Pregnancy is generally safe for both women with cystic fibrosis (CF) and their child, but those with poorer lung function are at greater risk of having a premature or smaller baby, according to a U.K. population-based study. The study, “The outcome of pregnancy in women with cystic fibrosis:…

Researchers have developed the first thread-based flexible patch that can be sewn into clothing to monitor — in real time — several molecules in sweat, including chloride ions, which are dysregulated in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. The study describing that finding, “Thread-based multiplexed sensor patch for…

The common mutations that cause Pseudomonas aeruginosa to lose their ability to move are associated with a higher production of two complex sugar molecules implicated in the formation of biofilms — slimy layers of microorganisms that stick to wet surfaces and protect them from antibiotics and the host’s…