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.”

 

Sobre o programa de subsídios da Emily's Entourage (EE)

O Programa de Subsídios da Emily’s Entourage (EE) financia a aceleração da investigação e do desenvolvimento terapêutico para pessoas com fibrose quística (FQ) que não beneficiam de terapias existentes direcionadas para mutações. A EE apoia uma variedade de mecanismos de financiamento, incluindo subsídios de translação, subsídios colaborativos e subsídios exploratórios pré-clínicos, bem como investimentos de filantropia de risco.

Até à data, a EE atribuiu milhões de dólares a equipas multidisciplinares em todo o mundo e ajudou a garantir milhões adicionais em financiamento subsequente. Para ver os subsídios atribuídos, visite https://www.emilysentourage.org/awarded-grants/. Para saber mais sobre as oportunidades de financiamento da EE, visite https://www.emilysentourage.org/funding-opportunities/.

Sobre a comitiva de Emily

A Emily’s Entourage (EE) é uma organização inovadora com estatuto 501(c)3 que acelera a investigação de novos tratamentos e de uma cura para os doentes na fase final da fibrose cística (FC) que não beneficiam das terapias direcionadas para mutações atualmente disponíveis. Desde 2011, a EE já concedeu milhões de dólares em bolsas de investigação, lançou uma empresa de terapia genética para a FC em fase clínica, desenvolveu a base de dados de doentes «Clinical Trial Connect» (CTC) e o programa de correspondência de ensaios clínicos para acelerar o recrutamento global para ensaios clínicos, e liderou esforços a nível mundial para impulsionar a investigação de alto impacto e o desenvolvimento de medicamentos. A organização tem sido destaque nos meios de comunicação nacionais, incluindo o New York Times, a STAT, a CNN, a People e outros. Saiba mais em emilysentourage.org.

Contacto para a imprensa

Hannah Kleckner

Diretor de Marketing e Comunicação

hannah@emilysentourage.org