Cystic Fibrosis
Pipeline by Development Stage
Drug Modality Breakdown
Cystic Fibrosis is a ~$73M niche rare-disease market with established therapies and consolidating competition around inhalation antibiotics and CFTR modulators.
Key Trends
- Dominance of inhaled antibiotics (Cayston, Tobi) and chloride channel potentiators (Kalydeco) in revenue generation
- Multiple patent cliffs approaching (Tobi Podhaler LOE 2030), creating generic erosion risk
- Strong trial activity (451 trials) with emphasis on Phase 2–3 pipeline innovation
Career Verdict
Cystic Fibrosis offers stable, specialized career opportunities in rare-disease commercial and clinical roles, but limited revenue scale and near-term patent erosion mean growth potential is constrained.
AI-generated market analysis based on FDA, CMS, ClinicalTrials.gov, and hiring data
Market Leaders
| # | Product | Company | Revenue | Share | Stage | Trend | LOE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CAYSTON (aztreonam) | Gilead Sciences | $34M | 47% | LOE_APPROACHING | Declining | |
| 2 | KALYDECO (ivacaftor) | Vertex Pharmaceuticals | $25M | 34% | PEAK | Stable | 7.2yr |
| 3 | TOBI PODHALER (tobramycin) | Viatris | $11M | 15% | PEAK | Declining | 4.4yr |
| 4 | PULMOZYME (dornase alfa) | Roche | $2M | 3% | LOE_APPROACHING | Stable |
Drug Class Breakdown
patent cliffs accelerating erosion
sustained demand, peak lifecycle
modest, supporting role
minimal market presence
Career Outlook
StableCystic Fibrosis is a mature but specialized market offering stable employment in niche, high-impact roles. Career growth depends on pipeline advancement (Phase 3 trials suggest 3–5 year horizon for new launches) and willingness to specialize in rare-disease commercial infrastructure, patient education, and genetic therapies. Patent cliffs in inhaled antibiotics will accelerate consolidation and create merger-driven recruitment cycles.
Breaking In
Enter via clinical operations or medical affairs entry roles at Vertex, Gilead, or Roche; deep disease knowledge and patient-centricity are valued more than size of prior portfolio.
For Experienced Professionals
Experienced rare-disease professionals should prioritize roles at Vertex (CFTR leader) or prepare for consolidation/restructuring at Viatris and others facing 2030 patent cliffs; gene therapy and next-gen modulator launches offer 5–7 year career runway.
In-Demand Skills
Best For
Hiring Landscape
Cystic Fibrosis hiring is concentrated in commercial and clinical operations (1,392 commercial roles, 407 clinical operations roles across pharma), with strong representation from AbbVie, Johnson & Johnson, and Roche. Salaries are competitive ($255K average commercial, $307K clinical operations) but volumes are modest relative to larger therapeutic areas. Vertex Pharmaceuticals and Gilead Sciences—CF leaders—actively recruit for medical affairs and commercial development roles.
Top Hiring Companies
By Department
Cystic Fibrosis roles are well-compensated in clinical and medical affairs; however, limited market size and rare-disease focus mean fewer openings than oncology or metabolic areas.
On Market (10)
Approved therapies currently available
Competitive Landscape
76 companies ranked by most advanced pipeline stage
+46 more companies
Trial Timeline
Clinical trial activity over time
Showing 15 of 48 trials with date data
Clinical Trials (50)
Total enrollment: 7,189 patients across 50 trials
Inhaled Mannitol on Mucociliary Clearance in Moderate to Severe Cystic Fibrosis
Imipenem/Cilastatin/Relebactam Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Outcomes in Adults and Adolescents With Cystic Fibrosis
Cefiderocol Pharmacokinetics in Adult Patients With Cystic Fibrosis
Study to Evaluate Symptoms of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency in Adult Participants With Cystic Fibrosis or Chronic Pancreatitis Treated With Creon
Pharmacokinetics of Omadacycline in Cystic Fibrosis
A Study to Compare US Marketed Creon Manufactured With a Modernized Process at an Alternate Manufacturing Site and Manufactured With the Approved Manufacturing Process at an Alternate Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Site, in Participants With Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency Due to Cystic Fibrosis
Telavancin Pharmacokinetics in Cystic Fibrosis Patients
A Study of the Effects of Lumacaftor/Ivacaftor (LUM/IVA) on Exercise Tolerance in Subjects With Cystic Fibrosis (CF), Homozygous for the F508del-CFTR Mutation
A Pilot Study to Evaluate the Use of Smart Adherence Technology to Measure Lumacaftor/Ivacaftor Adherence in CF Subjects Homozygous for the F508del CFTR Mutation
Pharmacokinetics of Tedizolid Phosphate in Cystic Fibrosis
Tobramycin Inhalation Powder (TIP) Administered Once Daily Continuously Versus TIP Administered BID in 28 Day on / 28 Day Off Cycles
Zoledronic Acid in Cystic Fibrosis
Ease of Use and Microbial Contamination of Tobramycin Inhalation Powder (TIP) Versus Nebulised Tobramycin Inhalation Solution (TIS) and Nebulised Colistimethate (COLI)
Tobramycin 300 mg Once-a-day (o.d.) Aerosol in Adults With Cystic Fibrosis
An Exploratory Study to Assess Multiple Doses of Omalizumab in Patients With Cystic Fibrosis Complicated by Acute Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA)
A Study of Pulmozyme® (Dornase Alpha) in 3- to 5-Year-Old Patients With Cystic Fibrosis
A Trial of Pulmozyme Withdrawal on Exercise Tolerance in Cystic Fibrosis Subjects With Severe Lung Disease (TOPIC)
Continuous Versus Short Infusions of Ceftazidime in Cystic Fibrosis
Study to Evaluate Arikace™ in CF Patients With Chronic Infection Due to Pseudomonas Aeruginosa
Growth Hormone Use in Cystic Fibrosis - a Multicenter Study
Evaluation of Long-term Safety and Efficacy of ELX/TEZ/IVA in Cystic Fibrosis Participants 12 Months of Age and Older
Evaluation of Long-Term Safety and Efficacy of Vanzacaftor/Tezacaftor/Deutivacaftor in Cystic Fibrosis Participants 1 Year of Age and Older
Evaluation of Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor (ELX/TEZ/IVA) in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Participants 12 to Less Than 24 Months of Age
Study to Evaluate Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor (ELX/TEZ/IVA) Long-term Safety and Efficacy in Subjects Without F508del
A Study Evaluating the Long-term Safety and Efficacy of VX-121 Combination Therapy
Evaluation of VX-121/Tezacaftor/Deutivacaftor in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Participants 1 Through 11 Years of Age
Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety of Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor (ELX/TEZ/IVA) in Cystic Fibrosis Subjects Without an F508del Mutation
Evaluation of Long-term Safety and Efficacy of ELX/TEZ/IVA in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Participants 2 Years and Older
A Study Evaluating the Safety of Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor in Participants With Cystic Fibrosis (CF)
A Study of VX-121 Combination Therapy in Participants With Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Who Are Homozygous for F508del, Heterozygous for F508del and a Gating (F/G) or Residual Function (F/RF) Mutation, or Have At Least 1 Other Triple Combination Responsive (TCR) CFTR Mutation and No F508del Mutation
A Study to Evaluate ELX/TEZ/IVA on Cough and Physical Activity in Participants With Cystic Fibrosis (CF)
A Phase 3 Study of VX-121 Combination Therapy in Participants With Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Heterozygous for F508del and a Minimal Function Mutation (F/MF)
A Study to Assess the Effect of ELX/TEZ/IVA on Glucose Tolerance in Participants With Cystic Fibrosis (CF)
A Study Evaluating the Long-term Safety and Efficacy of Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Particpants 6 Years and Older and F/MF Genotypes
Evaluation of ELX/TEZ/IVA in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Subjects 2 Through 5 Years
A Study Evaluating Efficacy and Safety of Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor in Subjects 6 Through 11 Years of Age With Cystic Fibrosis and F/MF Genotypes
A Study Evaluating the Long-Term Safety of Elexacaftor Combination Therapy
Long-term Safety of Lumacaftor/Ivacaftor in Participants With Cystic Fibrosis Who Are Homozygous for F508del and 12 to <24 Months of Age at Treatment Initiation
Evaluation of Long-term Safety and Efficacy of ELX/TEZ/IVA TC Combination Therapy in Participants With Cystic Fibrosis Who Are 6 Years of Age and Older
Study Evaluating the Long-term Safety and Efficacy of VX-445 Combination Therapy
A Study Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of VX-445/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor in Cystic Fibrosis Subjects, Homozygous for F508del
A Phase 3 Study of VX-445 Combination Therapy in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Subjects Heterozygous for F508del and a Gating or Residual Function Mutation (F/G and F/RF Genotypes)
A Study Evaluating the Long-term Safety of VX-445 Combination Therapy
A Study Evaluating the Long-term Safety and Efficacy of VX-445 Combination Therapy
Evaluation of VX 445/TEZ/IVA in Cystic Fibrosis Subjects 6 Through 11 Years of Age
Safety and Pharmacokinetic Study of Lumacaftor/Ivacaftor in Participants 1 to Less Than 2 Years of Age With Cystic Fibrosis, Homozygous for F508del
A Study of VX-445 Combination Therapy in CF Subjects Homozygous for F508del (F/F)
Evaluation of VX-659/TEZ/IVA in Cystic Fibrosis Subjects 6 Through 11 Years of Age
A Study Evaluating the Long Term Safety and Efficacy of VX-659 Combination Therapy
A Phase 3 Study of VX-445 Combination Therapy in Subjects With Cystic Fibrosis Heterozygous for the F508del Mutation and a Minimal Function Mutation (F/MF)
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Phase Legend
Key Insights
The information on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Drug information is sourced from FDA, DailyMed, and other government databases. Adverse event data from FAERS does not establish causation. Always consult a healthcare professional for medical decisions.