Emily’s Entourage Funds Novel Therapy to Target MRSA Lung Infections in Cystic Fibrosis
Inhaled vancomycin–DNase combination aims to overcome biofilms and improve treatment for persistent MRSA infections
Emily’s Entourage (EE) announced its third 2026 Translational Research Grant has been awarded to Hugh Smyth, PhD, Alcon Centennial Professor of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery at The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy.
Lower Merion, PA—August 24, 2026—Emily’s Entourage (EE), an innovative 501(c)(3) organization accelerating research for individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) who do not benefit from current mutation-targeted therapies, today announced its third 2026 Translational Research Grant awarded to Hugh Smyth, PhD, Alcon Centennial Professor of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery at The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy.
Dr. Smyth’s project aims to develop a novel inhaled therapy designed to treat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) lung infections—one of the most persistent and difficult-to-treat infections affecting people with CF.
Despite major therapeutic advances, chronic lung infections remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in CF. MRSA infections affect approximately 25% of people with CF and are associated with significantly worse clinical outcomes, including a 27% higher mortality rate and an average reduction in lifespan of more than six years compared to individuals without MRSA infection.
Existing treatments often rely on systemic antibiotics such as vancomycin or linezolid, which can result in variable drug concentrations at the site of infection and potential systemic toxicity. Additionally, a major challenge in treating MRSA lung infections is the formation of bacterial biofilms—dense structures that protect bacteria from antibiotics and immune defenses. These biofilms can also harbor “persister” cells that survive treatment, contributing to chronic and recurring infections.
To address this challenge, Dr. Smyth and his team have developed an innovative inhaled fixed-dose combination therapy that pairs vancomycin, a commonly used anti-MRSA antibiotic, with DNase I, an enzyme that helps break down the biofilm structure. Pulmozyme®, a DNase therapy already used by people with CF to thin mucus, is one example of this class of enzymes. By disrupting the biofilm, DNase I enables vancomycin to penetrate more effectively and eliminate bacteria, including persister cells.
Preliminary studies demonstrated that co-formulation and simultaneous delivery of vancomycin and DNase I were critical for effectively eradicating MRSA biofilms. In contrast, sequential delivery of the two therapies was significantly less effective.
The research team has also developed a high-dose, spray-dried powder formulation designed for inhalation, enabling both agents to be delivered directly to the lungs. This targeted approach aims to increase drug concentrations at the site of infection while minimizing systemic exposure.
The proposed research will optimize the inhaled formulation and evaluate its effectiveness using clinically relevant biofilms derived from people with CF, as well as in an animal model of MRSA lung infection. These studies aim to advance a targeted inhaled therapy toward clinical development.
“MRSA lung infections remain a significant unmet need in CF care,” said Dr. Smyth. “By pairing a biofilm-disrupting enzyme with an inhaled antibiotic, our goal is to develop a targeted therapy designed to better reach and eliminate bacteria that are difficult to treat with existing approaches.”
“Persistent, treatment-resistant infections remain a major challenge for people with CF, even in the era of CFTR modulators and especially for those that don’t benefit from modulators,” said Chandra Ghose, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer at EE. “By supporting innovative approaches like this one—designed to overcome biofilms and deliver therapy directly to the lungs—we aim to help advance more effective treatment strategies and expand options for people living with CF.”
About Emily’s Entourage’s (EE’s) Grant Program
Emily’s Entourage’s (EE’s) Grant Program provides funding to accelerate research and therapeutic development for people with cystic fibrosis (CF) who do not benefit from existing mutation-targeted therapies. EE supports a range of funding mechanisms, including translational grants, collaborative grants, and preclinical exploratory grants, as well as venture philanthropy investments.
To date, EE has awarded millions of dollars to multi-disciplinary teams around the world and helped secure millions more in follow-on funding. To view awarded grants, visit https://www.emilysentourage.org/awarded-grants/. To learn more about EE’s funding opportunities, visit https://www.emilysentourage.org/funding-opportunities/.
About Emily’s Entourage
Emily’s Entourage (EE) is an innovative 501(c)(3) that accelerates research for new treatments and a cure for individuals in the final 10% of the cystic fibrosis (CF) population that do not benefit from currently available mutation-targeted therapies. Since 2011, EE has awarded millions of dollars in research grants, launched a clinical-stage CF gene therapy company, developed a global patient database and clinical trial matchmaking program to accelerate clinical trial recruitment, and led worldwide efforts to drive high-impact research and drug development. The organization has been featured in national media, including the New York Times, STAT, CNN, People, and more. Learn more at emilysentourage.org.
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