Cystic Fibrosis (CF)

Gilbert Technologies is committed to improving patient care when using drugs that cause unpleasant conditions when using medication. Our first focus area is patients with respiratory disease.

The applications are developed in this order:

1. CF (Cystic Fibrosis)
2. Asthma
3. Oncology (Lung Cancer)
4. Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension 
5. Other lung indications
6. Systemic indications

We believe our inhalers can be positioned as a superior inhaler offering better outcomes, higher patient convenience and hence better patient adherence. Our inhalers can be positioned as a competitive differentiator to either branded proprietary, generic or brand-less generic pharmaceuticals, enabling inhalation of new and/or more complex molecules (for instance biologicals). Therefore, we at Gilbert Technologies aim to become the new competitive differentiator and entry barrier in a market where generics are replacing branded medication.

The disease

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder that affects mostly the lungs, but also the pancreas, liver, kidneys, and intestine. Long-term issues include difficulty breathing and coughing up mucus as a result of frequent lung infections. Other signs and symptoms may include sinus infections, poor growth, fatty stool, clubbing of the fingers and toes, and infertility in some males. Different people may have different degrees of symptoms.

CF is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. It is caused by the presence of mutations in both copies of the gene for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. Those with a single working copy are carriers and otherwise mostly normal. CFTR is involved in the production of sweat, digestive fluids, and mucus. When CFTR is not functional, secretions which are usually thin instead become thick. The condition is diagnosed by a sweat test and genetic testing.[1] Screening of infants at birth takes place in some areas of the world.

There is no known cure for cystic fibrosis. Lung infections are treated with antibiotics which may be given intravenously, inhaled, or by mouth. Sometimes, the antibiotic azithromycin is used long term.[1] Inhaled hypertonic saline and salbutamol may also be useful. Lung transplantation may be an option if lung function continues to worsen. Pancreatic enzyme replacement and fat-soluble vitamin supplementation are important, especially in the young. Airway clearance techniques such as chest physiotherapy have some short-term benefit, but long-term effects are unclear. The average life expectancy is between 42 and 50 years in the developed world. Lung problems are responsible for death in 80% of people with cystic fibrosis.

CF is most common among people of Northern European ancestry and affects about one out of every 3,000 newborns. About one in 25 people is a carrier. It is least common in Africans and Asians. It was first recognized as a specific disease by Dorothy Andersen in 1938, with descriptions that fit the condition occurring at least as far back as 1595. The name ‘cystic fibrosis’ refers to the characteristic fibrosis and cysts that form within the pancreas.

Why CF

Gilbert Technologies has the ambition to improve the administration of inhaled antibiotics with its proprietary device- and aerosol technology, by optimizing particle size of the inhaled formulation and improving patient medication adherence by optimizing inhaler design.

Read more about: Asthma – Oncology – Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension – Other lung indications – Systemic indication