Research in New Zealand

Shares in Life Newsletter | News from the Research World

In New Zealand, the Cystic Fibrosis Association has its own research fund called the Shares in Life Foundation. This fund is available to medical and scientific researchers who wish to study aspects of CF, with a view to clinical application.

The fund is open at all times and applicants should contact the Chief Executive of the CFANZ on 0800 651 122

CFANZ also have a close relationship with the Child Health Research Foundation and have co-funded a number of CF projects with them.

The current Board of Trustees for the Foundation is

John Parsons

Jane Drumm

Peter Tinholt

John Thorrat

Mike Lightfoot

Shares in Life News

A yearly Shares in Life Newsletter is compiled and distributed to keep our members up-to-date with the happenings in the world of CF research, at home in New Zealand and abroad.

The most recent editions are below:

Cystic Fibrosis Research News

http://www.facebook.com/groups/260687967322126/

This page is for people with an interest in Cystic Fibrosis research to post anything new or exciting for others to read and share.

News from the Research World

Links: CF Trust, UK | CF Foundation, USA | CF Canada |

CF Worldwide E-News

posted on: 30 March 2012

Click on logo for the latest edition of CF Worldwide's E-News, it contains links to some of the latest research results, and other goings on in the CF world.

Clean correction of a patient's genetic mutation

Posted On: October 12, 2011 - 5:31pm (www.sciencecodex.com)

For the first time, scientists have cleanly corrected a human gene mutation in a patient's stem cells. The result, reportedin Nature on Wednesday 12 October, brings the possibility of patient-specifc therapies closer to becoming a reality. more

Media Release, 18 August 2011

Cystic Fibrosis Movement calls for Expressions of Interest for

A$50m Research Project

ONE TEAM IS ABOUT TO LEAVE AN INDELIBLE MARK ON HISTORY

Scientists from around the world are being invited to submit expressions of interest for a five year A$25m-A$50m research project aimed at eliminating or neutralising Cystic Fibrosis (CF). The call announced by Cystic Fibrosis Australia (CFA) and Cystic Fibrosis Western Australia (CFWA) on August 18th is a radical approach to finding a cure for this fatal disease affecting more than 70,000 people globally. more

For information on the application process: CYS320447_12pp_Booklet_Spread_web.pdf

Aptalis Pharma Announces:

FDA Approval of 3,000 Lipase-Unit Strength of ZENPEP(R)

Marketwire - June 17, 2011 BRIDGEWATER, NEW JERSEY

New Strength Specifically Formulated for Infants

Aptalis Pharma, a global specialty pharmaceutical company focused on gastrointestinal diseases and cystic fibrosis (CF), today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new low strength of ZENPEP^® (pancrelipase) Delayed-Release Capsules that is specifically formulated for infants with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) due to cystic fibrosis. more

Geneticists discover technique to tackle mutant DNA

Scientists at the University of Rochester believe they have found a way to alter the genes that can cause disease

Ian Sample, science correspondent guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 15 June 2011

Scientists have hit on a genetic trick that opens up fresh avenues for the treatment of devastating diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy and certain forms of cancer.

The technique corrects glitches in genetic machinery that cause the body to make faulty versions of proteins that can lead to the onset of disease. more

Medicines Industry Welcomes Clinical Trials Report

Press release: 8 June 2011, Christine Ross

Medicines New Zealand welcomes the Health Select Committee Report into Clinical Trials, released today.

“As the industry association representing innovative pharmaceutical companies in New Zealand we believe the Committee has correctly identified the sense of urgency required if this country is to retain a competitive edge in clinical research,” Medicines New Zealand General Manager Kevin Sheehy says.

Vertex forms $75M deal with CFF

Published: 7 April, 2011 by Julie M. Donnelly, Boston Business Journal

Vertex Pharmaceuticals has entered into a collaboration with Cystic Fibrosis Foundation worth up to $75 million, to develop drugs to fight the most common form of the disease. This is an expansion of a long-standing alliance between the Cambridge-based biotechnology company and the disease foundation that began in 1998 and has already provided Vertex with $75 million to date.

The new phase of the partnership will focus on the discovery and development of new medicines known as correctors that aim to treat the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis, according to Vertex. The expanded collaboration will support development activities for VX-661, Vertex’s second drug of this type to enter clinical development, and will also help drive development of earlier-stage potential therapies.

For the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the expanded deal is a vote of confidence for Vertex, which has recently released a raft of positive Phase 3 data for its lead CF drug candidate, VX-770.

“With the recently announced positive Phase 3 results for VX-770, we believe that – together with Vertex – we are on the right path to fundamentally change the treatment of CF by targeting the cause of the disease,” said CF Foundation CEO Robert J. Beall, in a statement. “This new collaboration is a milestone in our long-standing relationship with Vertex and provides for additional opportunities to accelerate our discovery efforts and to potentially improve treatment for people with the most common type of CF.”

Per the agreement, the foundation will provide Vertex with up to $75 million to support research and development activities. Vertex would be reimbursed for research and development activities over a period of five years beginning in 2011. The foundation is entitled to receive royalties on future net sales of drugs approved under the collaborations, including VX-770.

CF is a life-threatening genetic disease affecting approximately 30,000 people in the United States and 70,000 people worldwide, according to the foundation.

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