News

Study Shows Value of Biofilm Component in P. aeruginosa Resistance

Differences in Psl, a complex sugar molecule produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, contribute to the bacterium’s resistance against the antibiotic tobramycin in children with cystic fibrosis (CF), a study shows. While tobramycin-resistant P. aeruginosa produced similar levels of Psl to those that were effectively eradicated with the antibiotic, its Psl molecules…

Group Focuses on Rare Disease Clinical Trial Participation

Participation in clinical trials exposes rare disease patients to financial, physical, and emotional pressures, according to the results of a patient focus group series. “Rare disease trial participants are running an endurance race they are highly motivated to complete, but these incremental burdens negatively impact their ability or willingness to…

Relizorb Will Be Covered by Medicare

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has published a local coverage determination confirming that Relizorb — an enzyme cartridge to help in digestion for cystic fibrosis (CF) patients receiving their nutrition through enteral feeding — will be covered by Medicare.

Minorities With CF Have Worse Lung Function, Study Says

Blacks and Hispanics with cystic fibrosis (CF) have worse lung function than white patients, according to a study from New York City. However, no differences were found among these groups of patients in several other parameters, including the number of visits to the doctor, treatments with antibiotics, and hospitalizations. The…

Polyphor and EnBiotix to Merge, Plan Trials in 2 Lung Infection Therapies

EnBiotix has purchased murepavadin, an investigational inhaled antibiotic to treat Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in people with cystic fibrosis (CF), from Polyphor. The two companies also entered into an agreement to merge, wherein Polyphor will acquire all EnBiotix stock in exchange for Polyphor stock newly issued upon closing. The merger…

Study: Use Lung Clearance Index to Measure Function

An assessment called the lung clearance index could be used to help identify people with cystic fibrosis (CF) who are at high risk for worsening lung function, a study has found. The study reported on factors associated with a worsening lung clearance index (LCI) over time in CF patients,…