News

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Kalydeco (ivacaftor) to treat more than 600 of the estimated 30,000 Americans with cystic fibrosis (CF), Vertex Pharmaceuticals announced. The oral medicine may now be prescribed to CF patients ages 2 and older who have one of five residual…

One of the preparations for clinical trials is producing enough of the therapy to be tested. Arch Biopartners says the production of its treatment for antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections in cystic fibrosis and COPD is on track for the start of a Phase 1 clinical trial later this year. Its partner, Dalton…

A U.S. government-backed initiative against drug-resistant bacteria has awarded Antabio $2.8 million to continue developing treatments for Pseudomonas, the most common infection in cystic fibrosis (CF). The grant came from a public-private partnership known as CARB-X, which stands for Combating Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator. CARB-X, formed in July 2016,…

Vertex Pharmaceuticals is continuing to develop treatments for all people with cystic fibrosis (CF), with clinical trials exploring combinations of its potentiator and corrector therapies. At the same time, efforts to expand the use of already-approved treatments are ongoing. In addition, the company recently completed the purchase of Concert’s…

Sema4 and Helix have partnered to offer CarrierCheck, a simple, saliva-based test that screens for 67 hereditary conditions, including cystic fibrosis (CF). The test provides people with a snapshot of their DNA and how it might impact their future choices, lifestyle and children’s health, among others. The…

Electromed recently launched a SmartVest Connect wireless technology to complement the SmartVest SQL, a technology that allows doctors and patients with certain lung diseases, such as cystic fibrosis or bronchiectasis, to have access to treatment information and collaborate in care decisions. The device developed by Electromed, the SmartVest Airway Clearance…

Novoclem Therapeutics, which is developing nitric oxide-releasing compounds that fight infections in cystic fibrosis and other respiratory diseases, has named five inaugural members of its scientific advisory board. They are Dr. Donald VanDevanter, adjunct professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine; Dr. Felix Ratjen, a professor of pediatrics at the…

Relizorb, an enzyme-containing cartridge that breaks down fats in tube-feeding formulas, is now available to children, according to its developer, Alcresta Therapeutics. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which approved the device’s use in adults in 2015, has widened the approval to children as young as 5 years old, Alcresta said The…

In September 2016, Jerry Cahill and Emily Schaller joined a high-profile effort to persuade cystic fibrosis patients like themselves to cycle to improve their health. The title of the event said it all: It was the third annual Bike to Breathe adventure. Convinced that cycling helps them combat a disease…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Digestive Care’s Pertzye (pancrelipase) to be given to cystic fibrosis patients through a so-called G-tube — a feeding tube delivering nutrition directly to the stomach through a hole in the abdomen. Pertzye is an enzyme replacement therapy for exocrine pancreatic…