Case studies

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is recognized as one of the earliest and best examples of venture philanthropy in medical research. It has provided more than $66 million in research funding since 2005, actively supports more than 30 new treatments in development – four of them FDA-approved – and has industry partners including Vertex, PTC Therapeutics, Genentech, and Novartis.

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics
Established in 2000, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics, Inc. (CFFT) is the non-profit drug discovery and development affiliate of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Drug Development Pipeline
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has built a dynamic "pipeline" for the development of more new potential cystic fibrosis (CF) therapies than ever before.

Robert Beall, CFF President and CEO, Shares the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Approach to Medical Research at the Partnering for Cures Meeting Plenary.

Therapeutics Development Network
The Therapeutics Development Network (TDN) is a nationwide network of nearly 80 cystic fibrosis clinical research centers. These centers specialize in conducting clinical trials to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of new CF therapies.

Industry Partnership
The FDA has approved Kalydeco, a drug developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc., with scientific, clinical, and significant funding support from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Coverage of the CF Foundation Model

The Economist: All together now
April 21, 2012

The Boston Globe: Driven by loss, father inspires tireless pursuit of a cure
Feb. 9, 2012

Nature: With strings
July 20, 2011

The New York Times: Helping New Drugs Out of Research's 'Valley of Death'
May 2, 2011

Boston Business Journal: Vertex in $75M deal with CF foundation
April 7, 2011

The New York Times: Trial Shows Cystic Fibrosis Drug Helped Ease Breathing
Feb. 23, 2011

Institutional Investor: Disease Charities: The New Financiers of Drug Development
Jan. 17, 2011

Chronicle of Philanthropy: Charities Move Into Role Traditionally Held by Drug Companies (Subscription Required)
Feb. 7, 2010

The New York Times: Tool in Cystic Fibrosis Fight: A Registry
December 21, 2009

The New Yorker: Open Channels: Do new cystic fibrosis therapies hold the key to treating other genetic disorders?
May 4, 2009

Harvard Business School case: Bob Beall at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
April 15, 2009