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Our research highlights of 2025
Advancing research throughout the year
In October, over 200 scientists and clinical teams joined us to hear the latest news on lab-based and clinical research. From cutting-edge research in the lab, to using UK CF Registry data in clinical trials, it was a packed two days. At the heart of the conference were your research priorities. Check out our Instagram Stories reel to see our live posts throughout the event.
It was inspiring to see so many world-class scientists together in one place, all with a determination to find solutions to the problems that the CF community are facing.
Peter, whose son has CF, after attending the conference
In June, we announced £1.3m of new research funding focusing on your research priorities, including innovative ways to treat NTM lung infections and early studies on better ways to treat CF diabetes. We're looking forward to updating you on their progress throughout 2026 and beyond.
A year in numbers
Numbers about the health of people with CF
The UK CF Registry is an invaluable resource to help us monitor the changes in the health of people with CF – providing the evidence needed to invest in the right research and ensure people with CF get the best possible care. Every year we publish a report of data within the Registry, the last report was published in October and you can read both the highlights and the full report.
The resource wouldn’t exist without dedicated teams within every CF centre across the UK who enter the data into the UK CF Registry. Our Registry Annual Meeting in November was an opportunity for them to exchange ideas and hear how Registry data are used in research. They also heard from Sean, who has CF, who spoke about what the Registry means to him.
As someone with CF, the UK CF Registry gives me a rare insight into the trends of the health of the CF population. The statistics give a sense of togetherness in what is otherwise a very isolating condition – a reminder that we are all fighting the same fight in our own ways. As amazing as the progress has been, the Registry shines a light on what we still have to work on and improve.
Numbers about research studies
The Trust established the Clinical Trials Accelerator Platform (CTAP) in 2017 to support the delivery of a wide range of CF clinical research studies across the UK. This summer we published our CTAP impact report, highlighting the difference it’s made since then.
The report shows the number of participants screened and enrolled to CF studies in the last year, introduces some of the impactful projects CTAP has worked on, and visually summarises the variety of CF therapies and other types of treatment supported by CTAP during their development.
Uniting for a life unlimited by CF
To help us solve the trickiest problems in CF, partnerships and collaborations are essential. Effective collaborations promote and facilitate the sharing of expertise, problem solving, and resources. Building research partnerships also helps add value to and de-risk the investment in research made by each partner.
Our partnership with the charity Action Medical Research began in 2014. Together we have invested over £1.2m into seven research projects to further understanding in CF, improve treatments and diagnosis, and to help protect more children with cystic fibrosis. This includes two research awards announced earlier this year to Dr Rebecca Dobra at the National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, and UCL-based Dr Guy Moss.
Our partnership with Action Medical Research has played a vital role in driving forward the breakthroughs that will lead to the new treatments and support that families and children affected by CF urgently need. We won’t stop until everyone can live without limits imposed by CF
Dr Lucy Allen, Director of Research and Healthcare Data at the Trust
One year on from the launch of our Translational Innovation Hub Network for CF Lung Health and Infection, in September we reflected on how it came about and what difference it could make. Known as the CF Lung Health Network for short, this £15m programme funded by the Trust and LifeArc will fast track new research and treatments to improve lung health and quality of life for people with CF.
Thank you, thank you, thank you
Thank you for shaping research
We have an amazing group of people from the CF community who share their lived experience to guide research. This year they took part in over 75 activities, from supporting decision-making to shaping research studies. These are activities that are squeezed in between treatments, work, and family responsibilities throughout the year. Thank you so much for sharing your insights.
Thank you for taking part in studies
In May we celebrated International Clinical Trials Day by sharing a thank you video from some of the teams in our Clinical Trials Accelerator Platform, thanking the CF community
Thank you for all of your donations
All of the highlights mentioned in this article wouldn’t be possible without all of your generous support, thank you. It’s a big thank you from the researchers we support too.
As a clinical researcher, I am incredibly grateful to receive funding from Cystic Fibrosis Trust. It makes what we do possible and affirms that it’s work that truly reflects the needs and priorities of the CF community. So thank you for putting your trust in research, and in researchers like me.
Dr Freddy Frost, University of Liverpool
Turn worry into wonder
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