A new drug, VX-770, produced by Vertex Pharmaceuticals and the US Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for the treatment of Cystic Fibrosis (CF) have shown positive results in the clinical trials.

The drug was tested on patients from at St Vincent’s, the national referral centre for adults with cystic fibrosis along with people from the United States, Australia and other parts of Europe.

Dr Edward McKone, Consultant Respiratory Physician at St Vincent’s University Hospital, in Dublin said that the results of the trials have found that new drug treatment has significantly improved the lung function, weight and quality of life in CF patients with the G551D mutation who received VX-770 compared to those who received placebo.

Cystic fibrosis is a wide spread critical genetic condition in Ireland and one in 1,400 babies are born with it. CF affects the CFTR gene, which regulates salt in cells. Mutation of this gene could result in building-up of mucus in the lungs, liver and pancreas. Nearly 11% of the people in Ireland have a type of gene mutation called G551D. The mutation is associated with severe CF and is known as Celtic mutation.

The new drug is expected to reduce the problem of CF in the country because the country has the highest incidence of CF in the world.