Cystic Fibrosis Worldwide has put considerable resources to work in India to develop a CF patient association
. The Cystic Fibrosis South Asian Trust (CF-SAT) is now a legally established organization. CF-SAT has also been provided with a computer and miscellaneous office supplies funded by a grant from Chiron. The final step in capacity building for the CF-SAT is to provide financial support for the employment of a Health and Social Welfare specialist to act as the Director of CF-SAT and establish a permanent office in Delhi. The objective of the Director of CF-SAT will be to implement the CF-SAT strategic plan that was developed in cooperation with CFW in 2007. CFW will fund only 2 years of operational costs allowing CF-SAT to develop and resource funding to support actual projects detailed in the strategic plan. CFW will have the option to assist in individual projects as requested by CF-SAT utilizing our international network and resources. CFW will also include India in our Educational program planning regional conferences every 2 years. The main priority for CFW is to act only as a support group not to develop, implement or control individual projects. It is our goal to let Indians help India so there is progress and development long term.
New drug raises for cystic fibrosis patients
Currently, there is no cure for CF caused due to a defective gene that causes ducts and tubes in the body to become blocked by thick, sticky mucus. This mucus affects the lungs, pancreas, the intestines, the liver and the reproductive organs. One of the most recognisable symptoms of CF is salty sweat, caused by the failure of the sweat ducts to reabsorb saltThe defective gene disables or destroys a protein known as CFTR.The research team led by Sheppard is investigating how new drugs restore function to defective CFTR proteins.The new drug therapy (VX-770) was developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals and will tackle the functional defect. The researchers have tested the drug on patients in the US who carry a genetic defect known as G551D.