New initiative launched to fight cystic fibrosis

The University of British Columbia, in partnership with the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CCFF) and the Centre for Drug Research and Development (CDRD), today launches the Cystic Fibrosis Technology Initiative (CFTI) to advance Canadian technologies that will help combat cystic fibrosis (CF).

The initiative, supported by a $750,000 grant from CCFF, will assemble researchers and identify promising discoveries from across Canada to create new medicines for a disease that affects thousands of Canadians. Potential therapies will be assessed, and those selected will then be developed using the facilities and expertise at CDRD, a national Centre of Excellence for Commercialization and Research hosted at UBC.

"The initiative provides a unique opportunity in Canada for researchers to achieve the common goal of rapidly developing cystic fibrosis treatments to improve health in Canada and beyond," says J.P. Heale, Director of the CFTI and Associate Director at UBC's Industry Liaison Office. "We will invest further resources in those technologies that emerge with a superior therapeutic profile, moving them closer to the ultimate objective of providing new and better treatments."

"By applying our infrastructure and expertise to this unique initiative through CDRD's advanced drug development platform, we hope to accelerate the development of new and innovative therapeutics for the treatment of cystic fibrosis," says Natalie Dakers, CEO, CDRD.

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that primarily affects the lungs and the digestive system. Ultimately, most cystic fibrosis deaths are due to lung disease. One in every 3,600 children born in Canada has CF and one in 25 Canadians carries a defective version of the gene responsible for the disease. While comprehensive treatment programs have dramatically extended the lives of people with CF - half of all Canadians with CF are expected to live into their 40s - there is no known cure.

"The Cystic Fibrosis Technology Initiative is an exciting new venture for the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation," says Cathleen Morrison, the Foundation's Chief Executive Officer. "This initiative will serve as an important step in moving Canadian research discoveries closer to clinical use, and will help to accelerate the development of real-life solutions for children and adults with cystic fibrosis."

"We're so excited about this new initiative," says Leona Pinsky, a volunteer from the Vancouver Chapter of the CCFF. "Since our daughter Rina was born 12 years ago, there has been ground-breaking work being done right here in British Columbia. We're optimistic that this initiative will help Canadians with cystic fibrosis, like Rina, live a long, full life."

Source: University of British Columbia