The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in Bethesda, Maryland, has announced a six-year, $500 million commitment focused on accelerating treatments for cystic fibrosis and advancing a cure.

The Path to a Cure initiative is aimed at stimulating industry investment around three core strategies, each of which requires a different set of scientific tools and knowledge: repairing broken CFTR protein, restoring the protein when it is not present, and addressing the root cause of the disease by fixing or replacing the underlying genetic mutation. To that end, the foundation will prioritize innovative approaches for individuals who do not respond to currently available treatments, including those with so-called "nonsense mutations," which affect approximately 12 percent of the CF community and are notoriously challenging targets for drug development.

In addition to funding, the foundation will work to develop partnerships that reduce the financial risks associated with CF drug discovery and development, including establishing a dedicated laboratory in support of translational research for potential therapeutic programs as well as the world’s largest network of CF clinical trial sites.

"The CF Foundation has a long track record of success in facilitating the development of new cystic fibrosis therapies. Our bold investments in innovative research sparked the development of CFTR modulators, medicines which are now transforming the lives of people with CF," said Michael P. Boyle, senior vice president of therapeutics development at the CF Foundation. "We firmly believe that our most important and challenging work is still ahead. We see an unprecedented opportunity to identify and advance treatments for the underlying cause of CF and deliver a cure for every person with the disease and will use every tool available to advance the research that will get us there."