PHOTO: McGovern, Markey Join Ribbon Cutting for Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics Lab

LEXINGTON, MA – Today Congressman Jim McGovern (MA-02) joined state and business leaders for the ribbon cutting at the grand reopening of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics Lab in Lexington. Congressman McGovern is Co-Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Cystic Fibrosis Caucus and has been a strong voice for increasing investment in research and treatment to help families with impacted by cystic fibrosis.

“As we work to increase awareness about this rare disease, we are helping to increase the support and resources needed to help families across the country who are impacted by cystic fibrosis,” Congressman McGovern said. “The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics Lab is a strong example of how Massachusetts is taking the lead in groundbreaking research that will move us closer to a cure. Working together with university researchers and industry partners, this lab is helping us to make new advances in drug discovery and continue the swift development of potential new therapies for people with cystic fibrosis. As co-chair of the Congressional Cystic Fibrosis Caucus, I am proud to support this important work and thank all who are leading the effort to help families with cystic fibrosis.”

Joining Congressman McGovern at today’s grand reopening and tour of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics Lab were U.S. Senator Ed Markey (D-MA), State Senator Michael Barrett (D-Lexington) and State Representative Jay R. Kaufman (D-Lexington). 

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation personnel in attendance at the lab opening included several members of the National Board of Trustees; President and CEO Preston W. Campbell III; Mary Dwight, Senior Vice President for Policy and Patient Assistance Programs; and Bill Skach, Senior Vice President for Research Affairs, as well as Ellen Schwanke, cystic fibrosis advocate from Massachusetts and Pam Spitzer, the Executive Director of the CFF Massachusetts Chapter. 

NUMBERS

According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Patient Registry, in the United States:

• More than 30,000 people are living with cystic fibrosis (more than 70,000 worldwide).
• Approximately 1,000 new cases of CF are diagnosed each year.
• More than 75 percent of people with CF are diagnosed by age 2.
• More than half of the CF population is age 18 or older. 

BACKGROUND

The CFFT Lab identifies and tests promising drug discovery strategies to help find potential cystic fibrosis therapies that could move forward into clinical trials -- and ultimately into the hands of people living with CF.

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics Inc. (CFFT), the Foundation's nonprofit drug discovery and development affiliate, operates its own research laboratory in Lexington, Mass. The laboratory's team of scientists and technicians works closely with other researchers to identify and explore innovative approaches to help speed discovery of potential therapies that could move forward into clinical research.

Established in 2012, the laboratory's primary focus is on finding new tools to discover compounds that address the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis -- a malfunctioning CFTR protein caused by mutations in the CF gene. Click here for more information.

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