| 1938 |
Dorothy Andersen, M.D. writes the first comprehensive medical report on cystic fibrosis (CF). |
| 1953 |
During a heat wave in New York City, Paul di Sant’Agnese, M.D. and others connect the extra loss of salt by people with CF to the disease's underlying cellular problem.
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| 1955 |
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation becomes incorporated as the National CF Research Foundation and awards the first research grants to Drs. di Sant’Agnese, Andersen and Shwachman. |
| 1961 |
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation-accredited care center network begins by establishing two centers devoted to treating CF. |
| 1962 |
The CF predicted median survival age is 10 years. |
| 1962 |
A total of 30 Foundation-accredited care centers are now in operation. |
| 1964 |
To investigate CF at the cellular level and find answers about this complex disease, the Foundation establishes the first basic science committee. |
| 1966 |
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation launches a patient data registry that collects health information of patients seen at Foundation-accredited care centers. |
| 1978 |
The number of Foundation-accredited care centers totals more than 100. |
| 1980 |
The Foundation creates the Research Development Program, a network of research centers at leading universities and medical schools nationwide. |
| 1988 |
The Foundation launches the Cystic Fibrosis Services Pharmacy. |
| 1989 |
A team of Foundation-supported scientists discovers the defective CF gene and its protein product (CFTR), opening the door to understanding the disease at its most basic level. |
| 1990 |
CF researchers achieve “proof of concept” that gene therapy (in the lab dish) is possible. |
| 1993 |
Landmark gene therapy trial begins in people with CF. |
| 1994 |
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves Pulmozyme®, which is proven to thin the tenacious, sticky mucus in the lungs and is the first drug developed specifically for CF. The time taken to develop Pulmozyme is less than half of the industry average. |
| 1997 |
The Foundation establishes the Therapeutics Development Program. |
| 1997 |
The FDA approves TOBI®, the first aerosolized antibiotic designed for CF, which is proven to reduce hospital stays and improve lung function. |
| 1998 |
Specialized clinical research centers are designated as the Foundation’s Therapeutics Development Network. |
| 2000 |
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics (CFFT), nonprofit research affiliate of the Foundation, is established to govern drug discovery and development efforts. |
| 2000 |
Foundation-supported scientists map the entire genetic structure of the most common cause of CF lung infections — the Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterium. Researchers can identify the function of specific genes and find ways to turn off the bad ones. |
| 2002 |
A CFFT-supported study shows azithromycin improves CF lung health. |
| 2003 |
CFFT-supported scientists at Structural GenomiX, Inc. determine the three-dimensional structure of a portion of the CFTR protein, opening the door to more drug discovery opportunities. |
| 2004 |
CFFT-supported studies in Australia and at the University of North Carolina show that hypertonic saline helps clear CF mucus. It is proven to improve lung function and reduce hospital stays, and becomes a therapeutic option. |
| 2006 |
The predicted median age of survival for those with CF increases to 37 years. |
| 2006 |
VX-770, a drug in development by Vertex Pharmaceuticals with support from the Foundation, enters clinical trials. VX-770 is one of the first compounds to attack the root cause of CF, and works at the cellular level to open chloride channels that do not function correctly in people with the disease. |
| 2007 |
Vertex Pharmaceuticals selects a second potential drug known as VX-809 for development. Like VX-770, VX-809 addresses the root cause of CF, but it works by helping the defective CF protein move to its proper place in the cell. |
| 2008 |
The Foundation and Vertex Pharmaceuticals achieve a “proof of concept,” showing that it is possible to treat the root cause of CF. During Phase 2 studies of VX-770, trial participants, all of whom carry the G551D mutation of CF, show unprecedented improvements in key signs of the disease. |
| 2010 |
The FDA approves a new inhaled antibiotic called Cayston® (aztreonam for inhalation solution), for the treatment of CF. Developed by Gilead Sciences, Inc., Cayston offeres a much-needed antibiotic alternative for CF patients who battle recurrent lung infections and develop resistance to existing antibiotics.
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| 2011 |
The Foundation announced that Phase 3 clinical trials of VX-770 showed profound results. Those receiving the drug demonstrated the highest increase on a lung function test seen in any clinical trial of a CF drug. Vertex plans to submit a New Drug Application to the FDA for VX-770 in the second half of 2011, with anticipated approval in mid-2012. |
| 2011 |
Nearly 30 potential therapies are in the Foundation’s drug discovery and development pipeline. The more drugs in the pipeline, the greater the odds of producing successful therapies and a cure for CF.
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