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.”

 

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 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.

Media Contact

Hannah Kleckner

Director of Marketing and Communications

hannah@emilysentourage.org