SpliSense, a Jerusalem-based biopharmaceutical company announced on Wednesday that it began human trials of a medicine for treating cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition that creates a buildup of mucus in the lungs, pancreas, and digestive system, resulting in malnutrition, breathing difficulties, frequent lung and sinus infections, jaundice, and even male infertility.
The American Lung Association estimates that 1 in 30 Americans is a carrier of CF.
“Currently available treatments focus on treating the symptoms of the disease, while we address the underlying genetic cause of the disease, thereby offering hope of an easy-to-use and less frequent treatment approach,” said SpliSense CEO Gili Hart, PhD.
“This program is our first-in-human and will serve as proof of concept of our pulmonary platform for our additional promising programs, including muco-obstructive diseases and IPF, the latter of which is expected to enter the clinic next year.”