Cure4CF Update
Cure4CF invests $1.1 million in six research partnerships to improve the lives of people with cystic fibrosis
Six research partnerships will tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing people with cystic fibrosis, as Cure4CF awards $1,105,000 through its 2026 Holckner Family CF Impact Grants.
Cure4CF has awarded $1,105,000 to six research partnerships through the 2026 Holckner Family CF Impact Grants, supporting research focused on improving and extending the lives of people with cystic fibrosis (CF) and accelerating progress towards a cure.
The funded projects span a range of important research areas, including earlier detection of CF-related liver disease, new approaches to treating difficult lung infections, CF-related diabetes, treatment adherence and better ways to measure the health and wellbeing outcomes that matter to people with CF.
Cure4CF Head of Research, Professor Jodie Simpson, said the grants would support important research addressing both current challenges and longer-term needs within the CF community.
“While advances in CF treatment have made a significant difference, there are still important unmet needs and challenges that affect the lives of people with CF every day. These grants allow us to invest in innovative research that tackles those challenges, explores new possibilities and brings us closer to a future where everyone with CF can live a longer, healthier life.”
Professor Simpson said the breadth of research reflected the importance of supporting innovative, collaborative research that could translate into meaningful improvements for people living with CF.
Six projects, one shared goal
The six funded research partnerships will investigate:
Detecting CF liver disease before it causes serious damage
Emeritus Professor George Yeoh, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research
CF-related liver disease affects around 10% of people with CF, but current tests do not always detect it in its earliest stages. Emeritus Professor George Yeoh and his team will investigate whether a group of proteins in the blood can identify early warning signs of liver disease before it can be detected using current clinical tests. If successful, the research could lead to a simple blood test to support earlier detection, more targeted monitoring and better-informed treatment decisions.
Using precision mini-lungs to find better treatments for NTM infections
Murdoch Children’s Research Institute
Non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections, particularly those caused by Mycobacterium abscessus, can be difficult to treat and can cause serious lung damage. The research team will test promising medicines using advanced stem cell models and precision mini-lungs to investigate which treatments and combinations may work best. The findings could help identify more effective treatment options for further investigation and potentially future clinical trials.
Understanding the link between CF-related diabetes and lung health
Dr Bernadette Prentice, Sydney Children’s Hospital Network
CF-related diabetes (CFRD) is a common complication of CF, but its relationship with lung health is not yet fully understood. Dr Bernadette Prentice and her team will analyse health data from more than 950 Australians with CF through the BEAT-CF program to investigate whether CFRD is linked to more frequent lung exacerbations or slower recovery. The research will also examine whether longer-term blood sugar control could help identify people who may benefit from different approaches to care.
Supporting treatment adherence through peer connection
Dr Lucy Pillay, The Royal Adelaide Hospital
Managing CF involves a demanding daily treatment routine, and staying on top of treatment can be particularly challenging during young adulthood. Dr Lucy Pillay and her team will investigate the factors influencing treatment adherence among young adults with CF and develop and pilot a virtual peer mentoring program. The research will explore whether connecting young people with trained adult mentors who also live with CF can support treatment engagement, self-management and wellbeing.
New research aims to personalise infection treatments for people with CF
Dr Renee Ng, The Kids Research Institute Australia
Chronic lung infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa can be difficult to treat, prompting interest in alternatives such as phage therapy, which uses specialised viruses to target and kill bacteria. Dr Renee Ng and her team will investigate whether antibodies produced by some people with CF can interfere with phage therapy and influence treatment outcomes. The findings could help explain why treatments work differently between individuals and inform more personalised approaches to managing chronic infections.
Beyond Survival: Measuring What Matters to People with CF
Associate Professor Rasa Ruseckaite, Monash University
Clinical measures such as lung function do not always capture the full experience of living with CF, including treatment burden, mental health concerns and side effects. Associate Professor Rasa Ruseckaite and her team will work with people with CF, caregivers and health professionals to develop and test a new questionnaire designed to capture the health and wellbeing outcomes that matter most to people with CF. If successful, it could eventually be used in routine clinical care and the Australian CF Data Registry to help inform more personalised care.
The 2026 Holckner Family CF Impact Grants continue Cure4CF’s commitment to backing research that addresses unmet needs, supports collaboration and brings new possibilities closer to people living with CF.