Repurposing drugs against resistance

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Cycle Pharmaceuticals and the Cystic Fibrosis Trust are partnering to deliver a new antibacterial option.

Cycle Pharmaceuticals and the Cystic Fibrosis Trust have launched a new partnership, sponsored by funds from the Trust’s Venture and Innovation Awards (VIAs). This project will investigate the repurposing of an existing drug for new use in the management of chronic pulmonary infections with Pseudomonas aeruginosa in people with cystic fibrosis.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a frequent cause of lung infections in people with cystic fibrosis, and while there are antibiotics that can treat CF lung infections, each treatment can have varying resistances and side-effects.

This project is being led by Professor Jane Davies at Imperial College, London.

Antibiotic resistance

For people with CF, antibiotic resistance is a matter of life and death. Once caught, bugs can remain in the lungs for years. When long-term bacterial infections occur, bacterial resistance to antibiotics makes treatment less effective. As bugs become resistant to standard antibiotics, doctors are forced to prescribe older and rarely used antibiotics that are less effective and can have serious side-effects.

Research into finding new ways to fight Pseudomonas aeruginosa is paramount to helping people with CF to live a life unlimited. Find out more about research like this we are funding.

Improving lives

James Harrison, Executive Chairman of Cycle Pharmaceuticals, commented, “We are very pleased to be working alongside the Cystic Fibrosis Trust on this exciting project.  We consider the Trust to be a model patient advocacy group. Our joint development work is already well underway.”

Dr Keith Brownlee, Director of Impact at the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, said, “New treatment options are desperately needed and we’re delighted to be investing over £25,000 in this partnership. We are hopeful that the results of this research will bring more options to the treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and as such, improve the lives of people living with cystic fibrosis.”

Clark Burscough, Research and Grants Manager at the Trust, said, “The Venture and Innovation Awards were designed by the Trust to bring vital external funding to cystic fibrosis research. These grants help us to respond quickly to new opportunities, with over 50% going towards funding translational research, which we know is something our community is incredibly passionate about.”

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