Call for new Antimicrobials to Target CF Lung Infections

"This funding call is part of LifeArc's £100m programme to accelerate scientific innovation for people living with CF and bronchiectasis. Working with MDC and Cystic Fibrosis Trust, this funding call aims to deliver new therapies to end the vicious cycle of infection, inflammation and permanent lung damage for people living with CF” Catherine Kettleborough

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Syndicate in Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) has announced a £3 million Collaborative Discovery Programme for drug discovery innovators to accelerate the development of new treatments for people with CF. 

Researchers in academia and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) worldwide are eligible to apply, with approximately five projects receiving funding of up to £500,000 through medical research charity LifeArc. Applicants must address patients' priorities for improving treatment set out in the CF AMR Syndicate's recently-published Target Product Profiles for Antimicrobials

Successful applicants can also access expert advice and practical support from managing partners Medicines Discovery Catapult (MDC), LifeArc and Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

Urgent need for therapies

CF affects over 162,000 people globally. While advances in drug treatment have transformed the experience of many people with the condition, they have not benefited everyone. There continues to be an urgent need to identify new therapies. 

Dr Beverley Isherwood, Partnership Lead for Infectious Disease at Medicines Discovery Catapult, said: "The CF AMR Syndicate is a unique initiative that brings people with CF together with leading experts from across the industry, academia and clinical care to accelerate the translation of CF antimicrobials to the clinic. With this funding call, we aim to extend the impact of this patient-centred collective approach to contribute new promising antimicrobials for people who need them." 

Dr Catherine Kettleborough, LifeArc's Chronic Respiratory Infection Translational Challenge Lead, said: "This funding call is part of LifeArc's £100m programme to accelerate scientific innovation for people living with CF and bronchiectasis. Working with MDC and Cystic Fibrosis Trust, this funding call aims to deliver new therapies to end the vicious cycle of infection, inflammation and permanent lung damage for people living with CF." 

Dr Paula Sommer, Head of Research at Cystic Fibrosis Trust, said: "People living with CF are particularly vulnerable to antimicrobial resistance. New antimicrobials that target infections caused by microbes commonly associated with lung infections in CF are urgently needed. We are delighted to announce this funding call aimed at stimulating new research and development into treatments with the potential to benefit people with CF." 

Syndicate links experts

The CF Syndicate in AMR is a cross-sector initiative that brings together leading experts in CF and AMR from industry, academia and the clinic with people with CF to accelerate the translation of CF antimicrobials to the clinic and bring new and effective treatment options to people with CF. The Syndicate was established in 2019 and is jointly managed by Medicines Discovery Catapult, Cystic Fibrosis Trust and LifeArc.  

Expressions of interest will open on the CF AMR Syndicate website on 30 March and close on 9 May 2023.

More information online