New advances in cystic fibrosis medical research announced in June have been welcomed by the Cystic Fibrosis Trust as it stands to benefit up to half of all people living with cystic fibrosis in the UK.
The results, released by Vertex Pharmaceuticals Ltd, of a phase III trial for a new treatment for people with cystic fibrosis aged 12 and over with two copies of the F508del mutation, demonstrate that a combination of the drugs ivacaftor and lumacaftor could offer additional treatment to address the underlying cause of the disease and increase lung capacity.
Janet Allen, Director of Care and Research for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust said: “We are pleased to see these promising results, which open up a new front in the fight against cystic fibrosis. This new combination therapy looks set to be an important additional treatment option that could improve the lives of many people with cystic fibrosis. As this leading edge of science continues to be explored and better understood, we are hopeful that a future of personalised medicines is increasingly within reach.”
Vertex has announced that it will apply for licences to market this treatment in the USA and EU later this year.
