Cystic fibrosis drug developer Respirion Pharmaceuticals has spun out from Telethon Kids Institute with capital from an Australian government-backed initiative.

Respirion Pharmaceuticals, an Australia-based cystic fibrosis medicine spinout of research centre Telethon Kids Institute, has publicly launched with commitments of A$20m ($14.2m) from Australian government-backed Biomedical Translation Fund (MRCF BTF). The investment, MRCF BTF’s first in the state of Western Australia, will be made in multiple tranches in collaboration with Telethon Kids Institute and the Western Australian Department of Health. Respirion has also secured a $3m commitment from research charity Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Foundation, though it was unclear whether this was grant funding. Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disorder associated with lower life expectancy that causes thick mucus in the lungs and digestive system to accumulate and cause progressive damage. Respirion is advancing a potentially-therapeutic compound for the condition combining the antibiotic tombramycin with an adjuvant drug capable of dismantling biofilms in the mucus responsible for harbouring bacteria and thus causing infection. Initial trials of the compound resulted in an 16% average improvement in the lung function of patients, and Respirion is currently preparing for further studies in conjunction with the CF Foundation’s Therapeutics Development Network funded by MRCF’s investment to validate its clinical and commercial potential. Respirion was founded in 2018 by Barry Clements, who practices at Perth Children’s Hospital and participates in a Telethon Kids Institute research group dedicated to monitoring the early symptoms of respiratory conditions. Clements, who now serves as a director for the company, said: “Persistent lung infections and the inevitable decline in lung function remain urgent unmet needs in cystic fibrosis. “My daily experience in treating cystic fibrosis patients for over thirty years at Perth Children’s Hospital, led me to the realisation that if we are to improve the reduction in bacterial load, and ultimately the fatal lung damage that occurs as a result of these infections, new approaches are imperative.” MRCF BTF is administered by the Medical Research Commercialisation Fund, a $150m initiative established by the Australian government targeting intellectual property from more than 50 Australia and New Zealand-based research institutions and hospitals.

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