New Emily’s Entourage Grant to Fund Novel Phage-Based Therapy for Drug-Resistant Infections in Cystic Fibrosis

Inhaled bacteriophage-antibiotic combination could offer a new treatment approach for persistent, antibiotic-resistant lung infections

Emily’s Entourage (EE) has awarded its fourth 2026 Translational Research Grant to David T. Pride, MD, PhD, Professor of Pathology and Medicine at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine.

Lower Merion, PA—September 3, 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, is proud to announce its fourth 2026 Translational Research Grant awarded to David T. Pride, MD, PhD, Professor of Pathology and Medicine at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine.

Dr. Pride’s project aims to develop a novel inhaled therapy combining bacteriophages—viruses that specifically target and kill bacteria—with the antibiotic meropenem to treat persistent lung infections in people with CF that are resistant to standard antimicrobial therapies.

Chronic infections and the development of antibiotic resistance pose a major threat to people with CF, driving disease progression and mortality. Among the most challenging of these infections is Achromobacter xylosoxidans, a pathogen that can persist in the CF lung despite repeated antibiotic treatment and frequently develops multidrug-resistant (MDR) or extensively drug-resistant (XDR) profiles, leaving people with CF with limited therapeutic options.

Dr. Pride and his team have identified a large and diverse collection of bacteriophages capable of targeting and killing Achromobacter, with activity observed across a wide range of MDR and XDR clinical isolates. Building on this work, they have made a key discovery: when certain phages are combined with the antibiotic meropenem, the two work synergistically to eliminate the bacteria, even in cases where the bacteria are initially resistant to the antibiotic. This finding suggests a new approach to treatment, in which antibiotic effectiveness may be restored through combinations with phage therapy, expanding treatment options for resistant infections.

The team will investigate the biological mechanisms underlying this synergy to better understand how and why this approach is effective.

"Achromobacter infections are particularly difficult to treat because of their ability to develop and maintain resistance to multiple antibiotics,” said Dr. Pride. “By combining bacteriophages with existing antibiotics, we have the potential to restore antibiotic activity and provide a new treatment option for people with CF who have exhausted conventional antibiotic therapies.”

Approximately 10% of people with CF do not benefit from current CFTR modulators and often face a disproportionate burden of chronic, treatment-resistant infections. EE is committed to advancing research that addresses both the underlying genetic causes of CF and the serious issues that continue to impact those living with CF.

“This project represents an innovative and urgently needed approach to addressing antibiotic-resistant infections in CF,” said Chandra Ghose, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer at EE. “By leveraging the unique ability of bacteriophages to target resistant bacteria—and combining them with existing antibiotics to restore their antimicrobial effects—this work has the potential to expand treatment options for individuals facing some of the most difficult-to-treat infections.”

 

Acerca del Programa de Subvenciones de Emily's Entourage (EE)

El Programa de Subvenciones de Emily’s Entourage (EE) proporciona financiación para acelerar la investigación y el desarrollo terapéutico para personas con fibrosis quística (FQ) que no se benefician de las terapias existentes dirigidas a mutaciones. EE apoya una variedad de mecanismos de financiación, incluidas subvenciones translacionales, subvenciones colaborativas y subvenciones exploratorias preclínicas, así como inversiones de filantropía de riesgo.

Hasta la fecha, EE ha otorgado millones de dólares a equipos multidisciplinarios de todo el mundo y ha ayudado a asegurar millones más en financiación posterior. Para ver las subvenciones concedidas, visite https://www.emilysentourage.org/awarded-grants/. Para saber más sobre las oportunidades de financiación de EE, visite https://www.emilysentourage.org/funding-opportunities/.

Acerca del séquito de Emily

Emily’s Entourage (EE) es una innovadora organización sin ánimo de lucro 501(c)3 que impulsa la investigación de nuevos tratamientos y una cura para las personas que se encuentran en la fase final 10% de la fibrosis quística (FQ) y que no se benefician de las terapias dirigidas a mutaciones disponibles en la actualidad. Desde 2011, EE ha concedido millones de dólares en subvenciones de investigación, ha puesto en marcha una empresa de terapia génica para la FC en fase clínica, ha desarrollado la base de datos de pacientes Clinical Trial Connect (CTC) y el programa de intermediación en ensayos clínicos para acelerar el reclutamiento a nivel mundial, y ha liderado iniciativas internacionales para impulsar la investigación de gran impacto y el desarrollo de fármacos. La organización ha aparecido en medios de comunicación nacionales, entre ellos el New York Times, STAT, CNN, People y otros. Más información en emilysentourage.org.

Contacto con los medios

Hannah Kleckner

Director de marketing y comunicaciones

hannah@emilysentourage.org