We are building a new research strategy

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Cystic Fibrosis Canada has since its beginnings, funded high-quality CF research by Canadian researchers from across the country.  We’ve always had the goal to fund the best research that will help advance our understanding of the disease and improve the lives of people with cystic fibrosis. The specific research topics were generally directed by the research interests of the scientists themselves, and by their ability to communicate well the need to fund their particular research questions. 

Because of those research investments, today we know a lot more about cystic fibrosis. And the needs from research are changing.  With the approval of highly effective modulator treatments, such as Trikafta, many individuals will see life-changing benefits. As people with CF live longer than ever before, their needs will change from a focus on transplantation and treatment of infections, to other health implications of CF, beyond the lung, as they age.  

At the same time, there are some in the CF community who will not benefit from modulators such as Trikafta. They may have already had a lung transplantation, they may have mutations that are not responsive to modulators, or they may have other reasons why modulator therapies aren’t right for them. We need to accelerate discovery and focus our research efforts on this group of people with CF. They can’t wait decades for the next breakthroughs. 

We are developing a new research strategy that we will use to fund research. Watch this space--we will be providing more information as we develop this vision document for research funding. We do know that we need to focus more on clinical and translational research with nearer-term impact for people with cystic fibrosis. And we know that the research priorities of the CF community are critical. 

In May of 2021, Cystic Fibrosis Canada reached out to the CF community and asked what priorities they would like to see Cystic Fibrosis Canada focus on in our support for research. The feedback provided will help to shape our new research strategy and determine the kinds of research we will support. It is important to Cystic Fibrosis Canada that our strategy is aligned with the needs and priorities of CF patients, their families, friends, and community.

Following the survey, CF Canada hosted a workshop with members of the community including people who live with cystic fibrosis and their family members, CF doctors and clinical care support workers (such as physiotherapists, nurses, pharmacists and dietitians), and CF scientific researchers. At this facilitated workshop participants narrowed down the list of priorities that were identified in the survey.

As the next step in our process, we’ll refine the priorities into categories that will be used to help develop Cystic Fibrosis Canada’s research strategy. We will be engaging individuals from the CF community for one-on-one discussions as we move through this process to ensure that we are staying true to the interests and views of the CF community.

Research

Investing in research has helped us go further in the fight against cystic fibrosis and has led to outstanding progress.

Cystic Fibrosis Canada funded researchers:

• Discovered the gene responsible for cystic fibrosis, opening the door to targeting the cause of the disease rather than its symptoms
• Developed revolutionary diets that were adopted globally and solved malnutrition in cystic fibrosis
• Purified the CFTR protein, improving our understanding of its structure and function, and leading to the development of KALYDECO™
• Created the world’s first device to repair donor lungs, improving transplant outcomes
• Identified a novel approach to treating bacterial infections that was adopted as a best practice in clinical care

Research continues to be a driving force behind helping people with cystic fibrosis live longer, healthier lives. That is why we believe in innovation. Over the past 60 years, CF Canada has invested over $279 million in research and healthcare, and we continue to invest in cutting-edge research today.

We are pleased to announce that the Annual Research Grants & Awards Competition has resumed. More information about our next Competition can be found here: Funding Opportunities and information about application deadlines is available here: Application Forms and Deadlines.

More information about Cystic Fibrosis Canada’s research programs:

• About Our Research
• What We’re Funding
• How We Fund Research
• Spotlight on Research
• Core Facilities
• Information for Researchers
• Funding Opportunities

Recently Published Research Funded in Part by Cystic Fibrosis Canada 

• Cell Reports: cAMP triggers Na⁺ absorption by distal airway surface epithelium in cystic fibrosis swine
• European Respiratory Journal: Ex vivo delivery of regulatory T cells for control of alloimmune priming in the donor lung
• Journal of Cystic Fibrosis: The feasibility of home monitoring of young people with cystic fibrosis: Results from CLIMB-CF
• Molecular Systems Biology: CFTR interactome mapping using the mammalian membrane two-hybrid high-throughput screening system
• National Library of Medicine: Cystic fibrosis-related diabetes onset can be predicted using biomarkers measured at birth