New 2026 Emily’s Entourage Translational Research Grant to Develop Mucus-Penetrating Gene Editing Delivery for Cystic Fibrosis
Engineered lipid nanoparticles designed to overcome the cystic fibrosis mucus barrier could enable targeted gene editing through inhalation
Emily’s Entourage (EE) has awarded it’s second 2026 Translational Research Grant to Xizhen Lian, PhD, Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Department of Pediatrics at Johns Hopkins University.
Lower Merion, PA—August 18, 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 second 2026 Translational Research Grant awarded to Xizhen Lian, PhD, Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Department of Pediatrics at Johns Hopkins University.
Together with co-investigator Justin Hanes, PhD, Dr. Lian’s project aims to develop a novel inhalable delivery platform for gene editing therapies that can penetrate the thick mucus in CF airways—one of the most significant barriers to treating the disease at its source.
Gene editing holds significant promise for correcting the underlying genetic mutations that cause CF, including those affecting the final 10% of individuals who do not benefit from existing CFTR modulators. However, one of the field’s greatest challenges remains safely and effectively delivering gene editors to the right cells in the lungs, where dense, sticky mucus can prevent therapies from reaching their target.
Dr. Lian and Dr. Hanes seek to overcome this challenge by engineering mucus-penetrating lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), tiny delivery vehicles designed to carry gene editing tools directly to airway cells following inhalation.
While prior LNP-based approaches have shown promise when delivered systemically, they may pose challenges related to off-target delivery and toxicity in other organs. By contrast, this project focuses on local delivery to the lungs, an approach intended to improve precision, reducing off-target effects, and better reflecting how a future therapy could be administered in people with CF.
The team’s strategy builds on prior advances in mucus-penetrating particle technology and applies them to next-generation LNPs by optimizing the surface Polyethylene glycol (PEG) coatings, allowing the nanoparticles to move through CF sputum rather than becoming trapped.
By improving the ability of LNPs to diffuse through mucus and reach airway cells, this platform is designed to enable broad, low-level gene editing across the airway epithelium, an approach supported by prior research suggesting that even partial correction may be enough to restore meaningful lung function.
The project will evaluate the engineered LNPs in patient-derived airway cell models and mucus-hypersecreting animal models that more closely reflect the conditions in CF lungs. In addition to advancing delivery in the airways, this work may help expand gene editing approaches to other affected mucosal tissues, such as the gastrointestinal system, which are not effectively reached by current lung-targeting delivery strategies.
“Overcoming the mucus barrier is one of the most critical challenges in developing effective genetic therapies for CF,” said Dr. Lian. “By engineering nanoparticles that can move through this barrier and reach the right cells, we aim to enable gene editing approaches that could benefit people with CF who currently do not benefit from CFTR modulator therapies.”
“This project tackles a fundamental barrier that has limited progress in the field: the inability to effectively deliver therapies through CF mucus,” said Chandra Ghose, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer at Emily’s Entourage. “By enabling targeted delivery of gene editors directly to the airways, this work has the potential to advance safer, more precise treatment strategies for the final 10% and bring us closer to therapies that address the root cause of disease.”
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 , visit opportunitieshttps://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 the Clinical Trial Connect (CTC) patient database and clinical trial matchmaking program to accelerate global 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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