Emily’s Entourage Awards $1,487,500 Research Grant to Launch Pioneering Phage Clinical Trial for Combatting CF Infections

The funded project, led by research teams at the University of California, San Diego and the University of Pittsburgh, aims to advance phage therapy into clinical practice, standardize clinical trials to combat antibiotic-resistant pathogens prevalent in cystic fibrosis.

Lower Merion, PA – June 13, 2024 — Emily’s Entourage (EE), an innovative 501(c)3 accelerating research for new treatments and a cure for the final 10% of people with cystic fibrosis (CF), today announced it has awarded $1,487,500 in Collaborative Grant funding to David Pride, MD, PhD, professor of pathology and medicine at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD); Douglas Conrad, MD, professor of medicine and director of the Adult Cystic Fibrosis Clinic at UCSD; and Daria Van Tyne, PhD, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

This funding will spearhead pioneering research in the development and application of bacteriophages (phages) — viruses that can selectively target and destroy specific bacteria — to combat antibiotic-resistant pathogens prevalent in people with CF.

CF is characterized by recurrent respiratory infections that often become resistant to conventional antibiotic treatment due to frequent and chronic usage. The awarded project, titled “Taking advantage of phage technologies to facilitate phage therapy while reducing the use of antibiotics in the management of CF,” addresses this critical need with a multi-faceted strategy to leverage phage therapy effectively.

Led by Dr. David Pride, together with teams from UCSD and the University of Pittsburgh, the innovative project aims to establish a robust therapeutic arsenal by expanding existing phage collections, enhancing phage host ranges, and evaluating antibiotic-phage combination regimens to combat CF pathogens.

Excitingly, this project will also bring phage therapy into the clinic, marking a major milestone in the development of new, alternative approaches to combat antibiotic-resistant infections in people with CF. By standardizing clinical trials across multiple institutions, the study strives for consistent delivery methods and comparable outcomes. This forward-looking approach could lead to more reliable and actionable conclusions, paving the way for significant advancements in CF treatment.

“We are thrilled to support Dr. Pride and their team in this groundbreaking endeavor,” expressed Chandra Ghose, chief scientific officer at Emily’s Entourage. “Their innovative approach holds immense promise in addressing the persistent challenge of antibiotic-resistant infections in people with CF. Since resistant infections significantly drive disease progression and mortality, developing more effective ways to combat them is essential for improving and extending lives, particularly for the final 10% without CFTR modulators. This project embodies our commitment to advancing transformative treatments for individuals living with CF.”

“Overcoming limitations of traditional therapies, phage therapy offers a safe and targeted alternative, potentially minimizing antibiotic resistance while improving patient outcomes,” said Dr. Pride. “By bolstering phage collections and refining delivery mechanisms, this project aims to establish a robust arsenal against CF pathogens, paving the way for enhanced patient care globally. We are grateful to Emily’s Entourage for their continued support as we focus on advancing this important research.”

EE remains committed to supporting cutting-edge research that leads to accelerated, transformative treatments for the final 10% of the CF population, ensuring that no one is left behind.

About Emily’s Entourage’s (EE’s) Grant Program 

Emily’s Entourage’s (EE’s) Grant Program provides grant funding to accelerate research and therapeutic development for people with cystic fibrosis (CF) who do not benefit from existing mutation-targeted therapies. EE provides funding through several grant funding mechanisms, including translational grants, collaborative grants, and preclinical exploratory grants, as well as through venture philanthropy investments.

To date, EE has awarded millions of dollars to multi-disciplinary teams around the world and helped to secure millions of dollars in follow-on funding. To view awarded grants, visit https://www.emilysentourage.org/awarded-grants/. To learn more about EE’s funding opportunities, visit https://www.emilysentourage.org/funding-opportunities/.

About Emily’s Entourage

Emily’s Entourage is an innovative 501(c)3 that accelerates research for new treatments and a cure for individuals in the final 10% of the cystic fibrosis (CF) population that does not benefit from currently available mutation-targeted therapies. Since 2011, Emily’s Entourage has awarded millions of dollars in research grants, launched a now-acquired CF gene therapy company, developed a patient registry and clinical trial matchmaking program to accelerate clinical trial recruitment, and led worldwide efforts to drive high-impact research and drug development. The organization has been featured in national media, including the New York Times, STAT, CNN, People, and more. Learn more at emilysentourage.org.

 

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Hannah Kleckner

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hannah@emilysentourage.org