The CFTI – collaboration between Cystic Fibrosis Canada, the University of British Columbia (UBC), and The Centre for Drug Research and Development (CDRD) – say both projects have passed their rigorous "go or no-go decision making process”.
One project, lead by UBC’s Chris Orvig, features a new formulation of an existing antibiotic, ciprofloxacin, combined with gallium to produce a potent therapeutic against infections.
The team say the compound coordinates the atoms to provide a "one-two punch" against bacteria.
The second project focuses on the use of a unique peptide from a family termed defensins, discovered by Robert Hancock, which is applied to the cycle of inflammation and infection that damages the lungs of CF patients.
"By providing our highly-specialized scientific and business expertise as well as our state-of-the-art drug development facilities, we aim to accelerate the development of these research projects into innovative therapies for children and adults with cystic fibrosis," said Natalie Dakers, President and Chief Executive Officer of CDRD.