"Forbes" Highlights CF Foundation Research

Received today in our inbox:
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Dear Friend of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation,

We wanted to let you know about an article on cystic fibrosis research that appears in the Sept. 18 issue of Forbes. The piece (link below) highlights two CF research initiatives that reflect not only the work of our two partners, Inspire Pharmaceuticals and Vertex Pharmaceuticals, but also the sound investments of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The content of this piece offers further evidence that our efforts are paying off!

The article highlights research done at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill that has resulted in the development of denufosol--a promising drug moving through our robust drug "pipeline." In fact, denufosol has just entered Phase 3 clinical trials and will be available to patients willing to participate in the study being conducted at CF care centers throughout the country. This work has been supported by the Foundation for more than 15 years.

The piece also mentions that, because of our investment in high-throughput screening technology at Vertex, scientists have discovered a compound (known as VX-770) that appears to help correct one part of the CFTR protein that causes CF cells to be defective. VX-770 also is a "member" of our growing pipeline of potential therapies and just recently began a Phase 1 clinical trial. We will continue to support Vertex as they work to develop other highly specialized drugs for CF. Our overall commitment to Vertex may exceed $70 million.

To read the Forbes article, click here. Or, you can pick up a copy at your local newsstand. (Note: free registration is required to access the article on Forbes.com.)

It is because of your dedication to our mission that these types of success stories exist. Thank you for all that you do to help us add tomorrows every day to the lives of those with CF.

Sincerely,

Robert J. Beall, Ph.D.
President and CEO
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, National Office