Partnership boosts cystic fibrosis therapy bid

Industry and academia are set to join forces as Edinburgh University teams up with leading figures to advance development of a gene therapy for cystic fibrosis. This partnership facilitates Scotland’s contribution to world changing research and showcases the opportunities that collaboration can present.

The UK Cystic Fibrosis Gene Therapy Consortium, of which the University is a member, will join with Boehringer Ingelheim and Oxford Biomedica to develop a new viral vector-based therapy.

The partnership builds on pioneering research carried out by the Consortium including clinical trials, which have shown encouraging results.

Lung condition

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited condition caused by mutations in a gene called CFTR. The disease causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in the airways and digestive tract.

People affected by the condition are more prone to lung diseases and have a significantly reduced life expectancy.

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