Developing solutions for people with cystic fibrosis takes more than capital. That's why we created a full ecosystem of strategic and scientific support for all facets of therapeutic development.
Josey, an adult with CF
The CF Foundation catalyzed venture philanthropy to benefit rare disease in the early 2000s, when it invested in Aurora Biosciences (later acquired by Vertex Pharmaceuticals), leading to the development of transformative therapies for people with cystic fibrosis. The Foundation’s scientific, financial, and strategic support, along with its expertise and assistance in clinical trials, enabled Vertex to pursue innovative discovery research leading to CFTR modulators (such as Kalydeco and Trikafta) that target a dysfunctional CFTR protein, a major cause of CF.
CFTR modulators have revolutionized the treatment landscape for cystic fibrosis, offering life-changing improvements in lung function and quality of life for many people with CF. These groundbreaking drugs stand as a remarkable example of how strategic approaches between the CF Foundation and biotech companies can drive scientific innovation and lead to the development of transformative therapies.
Yet, there remains significant unmet need in CF—modulators do not work for everyone. Too many people still succumb to life-threatening infections and other disease complications—and there is still no cure.
Today we are investing in therapies and technologies that hold the most promise to achieve breakthroughs for everyone with CF. Working with urgency, we employ venture investment best practices to source, evaluate, and fund projects that serve the Foundation's mission.
We support biotech companies through a wide range of investment vehicles and provide capital across all phases of drug development, from early-stage spinouts to mature companies pursuing late-stage trials. We also work to identify and invest in the development of platform technologies that aim to address CF’s treatment challenges.
Two foundational goals drive our investments: delivering breakthrough treatments for CF manifestations and finding a transformative therapy and ultimately a cure for everyone with CF. Our portfolio supports companies pursuing genetic therapies that offer the best chance of treating the disease’s underlying cause, as well as projects aimed at relieving symptom burden for everyone with CF until a cure is found.
When we invest, we look for technologies and therapies reflecting sound science with strong supportive data. We prioritize approaches that align with an evidence-based, derisking and methodical development plan, and opportunities that demonstrate viable business models.