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PharmaPhorum Interview: How Drug Repositioning is Accelerating Treatments for NF Patients

A close-up of a person using a tablet with text "Daily News" on the left and "pharmaphorum" on the right over a blue and white background.In a recent interview with PharmaPhorum, a leading media platform dedicated to pharmaceutical and biotech innovation, Annette Bakker, CEO of the Children’s Tumor Foundation, discussed the game-changing potential of drug repositioning. This innovative approach advances CTF’s strategy to develop new therapies and deliver effective treatments to those living with any form of NF (neurofibromatosis or schwannomatosis).

Drug repositioning—finding new applications for existing drugs—offers a quicker, more cost-effective pathway to potential treatments. Many promising compounds are often shelved due to factors like shifts in commercial focus, rather than a lack of potential. For rare conditions like NF, repositioning these drugs provides a unique opportunity to explore new therapeutic options that might otherwise remain untapped. As Dr. Bakker explained, this strategy allows for more “shots on goal,” accelerating the availability of therapies for patients.

CTF is deeply committed to pioneering new drug discoveries and advancing innovative therapies. Our initiatives, such as the NF Therapeutics Accelerator (Preclinical Hub) and Patient-First Clinical Trials (platform trials), are designed to support both repositioning efforts and novel drug development. By de-risking early-stage projects and attracting vital pharmaceutical investment, we expand the range of treatment options available to patients as quickly as possible.

Whether repositioning existing drugs or creating new ones, our focus is clear: more treatments, delivered more rapidly, with a steadfast dedication to improving lives.

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