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.”

 

À propos du programme de subventions de l'Entourage d'Emily (EE)

Le programme de subventions d'Emily's Entourage (EE) fournit des financements pour accélérer la recherche et le développement thérapeutique pour les personnes atteintes de fibrose kystique (FK) qui ne bénéficient pas des thérapies ciblées sur les mutations existantes. EE soutient une gamme de mécanismes de financement, notamment des subventions translationnelles, des subventions collaboratives et des subventions exploratoires précliniques, ainsi que des investissements en capital-risque philanthropique.

À ce jour, EE a octroyé des millions de dollars à des équipes pluridisciplinaires à travers le monde et a aidé à obtenir des millions de plus en financements complémentaires. Pour consulter les subventions accordées, visitez https://www.emilysentourage.org/awarded-grants/. Pour en savoir plus sur les possibilités de financement de l'EE, consultez le site suivant https://www.emilysentourage.org/funding-opportunities/.

À propos de l'entourage d'Emily

Emily’s Entourage (EE) est une organisation innovante de type 501(c)3 qui accélère la recherche de nouveaux traitements et d’un remède pour les personnes atteintes de mucoviscidose qui ne tirent aucun bénéfice des thérapies ciblées sur les mutations actuellement disponibles. Depuis 2011, EE a octroyé des millions de dollars de subventions de recherche, lancé une entreprise spécialisée dans la thérapie génique de la mucoviscidose au stade clinique, développé la base de données de patients « Clinical Trial Connect » (CTC) ainsi qu’un programme de mise en relation avec des essais cliniques afin d’accélérer le recrutement à l’échelle mondiale pour ces essais, et mené des initiatives internationales visant à promouvoir la recherche à fort impact et le développement de médicaments. L’organisation a fait l’objet de reportages dans les médias nationaux, notamment le New York Times, STAT, CNN, People et bien d’autres. Pour en savoir plus, rendez-vous sur emilysentourage.org.

Contact presse

Hannah Kleckner

Directeur du marketing et de la communication

hannah@emilysentourage.org