Whether cystic fibrosis is your primary research or clinical focus, or you have dedicated yourself to other respiratory diseases, the President’s Symposium on “How to Cure a Lung Disease: The Cystic Fibrosis Story” will provide you with needed insights. The symposium will take place from 2:15 to 4:15 p.m. today in Room 205/207 (Street Level) Colorado Convention Center.

World-renowned scientists, clinical investigators, and other thought leaders will review how our understanding of cystic fibrosis lung disease has rapidly advanced, which led to clinical trials with novel agents that are changing the lives of patients.

Robert J. Beall

“This symposium will describe how our research into CF may serve as a road map and how partnerships between patient organizations, clinicians, scientists, and industry can be transformative,” says ATS President Thomas Ferkol, MD.

Six presenters will discuss:

“Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Center Network, and Patient Registry”—Robert J. Beall, PhD, president of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Bethesda, MD

Richard C. Boucher

Mitchell Drumm

“Defining Cellular Defect in Cystic Fibrosis”—Richard C. Boucher, MD, the Kenan Professor of Medicine and director of Cystic Fibrosis and Pulmonary Research and Treatment Center at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

“Identifying the Genetic Defects in Cystic Fibrosis”—Mitchell Drumm, PhD, professor of pediatrics and genetics and genome sciences at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, Cleveland

Michael J. Welsh

“Development of Cystic Fibrosis Animal Models”—Michael J. Welsh, MD, the Roy J. Carver Biomedical Research Chair in Internal Medicine and Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, professor of neurosurgery, director of the University of Iowa Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, and director of the University of Iowa Institute for Biomedical Discovery at the Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine of the University of Iowa, Iowa City

Bonnie W. Ramsey

“Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutic Development Network”—Bonnie W. Ramsey, MD, the Endowed Chair in Cystic Fibrosis, professor and vice chair for research in Department of Pediatrics at the University of Washington; director of the Center for Clinical and Translational Research at Seattle Children’s Hospital; and executive director of the Cystic Fibrosis Therapeutics Development Network Coordinating Center, Seattle

Peter D. Sly

“The Future of Cystic Fibrosis Care”—Peter D. Sly, DSc, MBBS, MD, deputy director of the Queensland Children’s Medical Research Institute; director of the Children’s Health and Environment Program; and director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Children’s Health and Environment, Queensland, Australia

“How to Cure a Lung Disease: The Cystic Fibrosis Story” is supported by educational grants from Gilead Sciences, Inc. and Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.