CF AMR Syndicate: Accelerating the translation of cystic fibrosis diagnostics and therapeutics
A cross-sector partnership with the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Medicines Discovery Catapult, connecting experts in cystic fibrosis and antimicrobial resistance.
Aims of the CF AMR Syndicate
The syndicate supports and accelerates the translation of new diagnostics and antimicrobials to the clinic by providing diligence work, scientific expertise, and funding. It connects academics, industry partners, clinicians and people living with CF (cystic fibrosis).
Ultimately, the syndicate is working to improve outcomes for people living with CF.
Undertaking diligence work
There are uncertainties regarding which research areas would have the most impact for people with CF.
To address this, the syndicate has worked with experts and people living with CF to produce diagnostic and therapeutic target product profiles (TPPs). The TPPs provide blueprints for the key unmet diagnostic and therapeutic needs and act as a resource to direct research.
Providing funding to empower research
There are significant costs associated with diagnostic and therapeutic development. We are investing £3 million to fund 6 projects with the aim of developing new antimicrobials.
See the first 3 awardees here.
Connecting researchers to a CF AMR network
To tackle CF, a joint effort is required. The syndicate has:
- set up UK-wide CF hubs that connect the wider CF ecosystem.
- established the UK CF Infection Repository of Biosamples. This provides researchers and partners with access to crucial samples for biomedical research.
- set up the PIPE CF project – an international consortium of 7 universities and 2 NHS trusts that acts as a strategic research centre to support antibiotic development for CF.
What impact will the syndicate have?
- Improving diagnosis will ensure a more tailored therapeutic approach, limiting treatment time and the resulting side effects of antibiotics.
- Developing new therapeutics will ensure there are still treatments available as AMR strains become more prevalent.
- Establishing CF hubs and providing access to clinical samples will provide essential samples for research and facilitate collaboration across a network of industry experts throughout the UK.
“By harnessing the collective expertise of cross-sector partners, we aim to accelerate the discovery of novel therapies that could significantly improve the lives of people with cystic fibrosis.”
Katy Kettleborough, Head of Chronic Respiratory Infection, LifeArc
About cystic fibrosis
CF is a genetic condition that affects over 10,000 people in the UK and 160,000 people globally. People with CF experience a buildup of thick mucus that leads to bacterial infections in the lungs.
CF is a complex condition, and typically diagnosis is slow, while the antibiotics that are prescribed can have severe side effects. There is still an urgent unmet need to speed up the diagnosis and treatment of bacterial infections to improve the quality of life for people living with the condition.
We want to hear from you
If you are a researcher or interested in partnering with us, please get in touch.
