Trailfinder-CF Innovation Hub
Translational Innovation Hub for Life-course Infection and Exacerbation Research
In a nutshell:
The Trailfinder-CF Innovation Hub, led by Professor Jo Fothergill at the University of Liverpool, aims to develop new and more tailored treatment approaches for CF lung infections, by developing phage therapy.
What’s the problem?
Maintaining lung health throughout the life-course is a key priority for people with CF, and treatment-resistant lung infections still cause significant problems for people with CF of all ages. There is an urgent need to find new medicines to treat highly antibiotic-resistant infections, and to develop new ways to help tailor treatments to each individual and each infection, to get the most out of the treatments currently available and prevent unwanted side effects.
How is it being solved?
The Trailfinder-CF team will address two key challenge areas relevant to managing lung infections for individuals with CF.
Workstream 1: Advancing phage therapy
For those with few options left to control their lung infections, the Trailfinder-CF team will develop “phage therapy”. This aims to use natural bacteria-killing viruses – called ‘phage’ – instead of drug-based antibiotics. They will develop new combinations of phage, test the best way of giving them, and ensure the UK can produce phage to medical standards.
Workstream 2: Optimising treatment for exacerbations
The Trailfinder-CF Innovation Hub will also use cutting edge technology to find the causes of exacerbations and test how to best use existing treatments by:
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Developing a new way of testing lots of antibiotic combinations at the same time to know in advance which might work best for each person.
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Using Artificial Intelligence methods to scan medical records and help predict future treatment responses, including antibiotic resistance.
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Investigating whether a new test which rapidly tests for over 20 bugs at the same time, can tell us which treatment is best.
How will this make a difference?
By developing phage therapy for CF in the UK, this could offer an alternative treatment option for those with highly resistant infections, help to prevent antimicrobial resistance, and improve treatment effectiveness.
Trailfinder-CF hopes to identify and develop new ways to help doctors select the best treatments that can then be tested in future trials.
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Who's involved?
Innovation Hub Director
Professor Jo Fothergill, University of Liverpool
Innovation Hub Project Manager
Louise Cooper, University of Liverpool
Co-investigators
Professor Paul McNamara, University of Liverpool
Dr Freddy Frost, University of Liverpool
Dr Dilip Nazareth, Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital
Professor Shampa Das, University of Liverpool
Dr Ed Emmott, University of Liverpool
Professor Aras Kadioglu, University of Liverpool
Professor Kieran Sharkey, University of Liverpool
Professor Steve Paterson, University of Liverpool
Dr Dan Wootton, University of Liverpool
Dr Rosie Maher, University of Liverpool
Dr Richard Fitzgerald, University of Liverpool
Dr Neill Liptrott, University of Liverpool
Professor Mike Brockhurst, University of Manchester
Dr Rosanna Wright, University of Manchester
Dr Phil Mitchelmore, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital
Dr Ben Temperton, University of Exeter
Dr Josh Jones, UK Health Security Agency
Professor Danish Malik, University of Loughborough
Dr Jamie Duckers, Llandough Hospital
Professor Eshwar Mahenthiralingam, Cardiff University
Dr Clare Trippett, Centre for Process Innovation (CPI)
Dr Jenny Preston, University of Liverpool
Professor Mark Sutton, UK Health Security Agency
Professor Martha Clokie, University of Leicester
Dr Andrew Millard, University of Leicester
Dr Ailsa Dermody (person with CF)
Professor Christian Hedrich, University of Liverpool
Professor Barry Campbell, University of Liverpool
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Updates
Check back here for future updates on the Trailfinder-CF programme.
The UNIFIED-CF study is currently open for recruitment. If you’re interested in taking part or would like to find out more, please visit our CF Trials Tracker.
- March 2026: The Trust visited the Trailfinder-CF team in Liverpool. A round-up of all the 2026 Innovation Hub visits can be seen here.
- March 2026: Ailsa, a medical writer and person with CF within the Trailfinder-CF Innovation Hub, shared how she is involved in the programme and why the research is so important. Read more here.
- March 2026: Rebecca Wright, PPIE Officer within the Trailfinder-CF Innovation Hub, shared more about her role and how people with lived experience of CF are being involved.
- August 2026: Co-developed by the Trailfinder-CF Innovation Hub and 'Armchair Adventures' podcast production company Made by Mortals, children and young people affected by CF have used their personal experiences to create a special three-part podcast adventure to help explain CF and the science behind fighting infections. You can read more about this here.
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Resources and links
You can keep up to date with the Trailfinder-CF team on the following social media channels:
Bluesky: @cf-trailfinder.bsky.social
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/cf-trailfinder
Instagram: @cf_trailfinder
Or on their website: www.liverpool.ac.uk/trailfinder-cf
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