U.K. Health Minister, Lord Warner today announced the winning bids for £2.5 million to support further research into gene therapy for cystic fibrosis.
The funding commitment was made in the Genetics White Paper, 'Our Inheritance, Our Future: Realising the potential of genetics in the NHS' and will help to ensure that those with cystic fibrosis benefit as soon as possible from the latest advances in genetic knowledge and technologies.
Health Minister Lord Warner said:
"The Genetics White Paper set out our vision that the NHS should take maximum advantage of new genetic knowledge and technologies. Supporting this innovative research will help make sure that cystic fibrosis patients benefit as quickly as possible from gene therapy advances. This work represents a major step in our endeavour to relieve the suffering and ultimately find a cure for this terrible disease".
Cystic fibrosis is the most common inheritable disorder in this country, and affects over 7,500 children and adults in the U.K and the life expectancy for children born with this disease is just 30 years. It is a distressing condition in which mucus continually builds up in the lungs causing breathing difficulties and respiratory infections. There is currently no cure although regular physiotherapy, antibiotics and enzyme supplements can slow the progression of the disease.
Following an open call for proposals two contracts, one to the Institute of Child Health and the other to the UK Cystic Fibrosis Gene Therapy Consortium, have now been awarded to support further essential gene therapy research in this area. The research teams will work on a different but complementary strategies in their proposals and have agreed to work together to maximise the likely benefits.
Rosie Barnes from the Cystic Fibrosis Trust said