@pfists @jkiemen @heathert @windwalker Thanks for following up on this Shari. We could have guessed as much from their website -- they seem to want to focus mostly on active cystic fibrosis.
Fairly similar numbers of people are diagnosed with NTMs each year compared to the numbers diagnosed with active cystic fibrosis. But those with active cystic fibrosis are diagnosed far younger, often as children. (NTMs are regarded as ONLY an 'old people's disease', although that isn't true -- 50% are younger than 65 and some are children).
There's been research around for 15 years that NO can reduce pseudomonas aeruginosa, but Vast has a new and better delivery system to try out.
The Vast Therapeutics study we looked at showed success with NTMs (https://cysticfibrosisnewstoday.com/2018/05/24/vast-therapeutics-bioc51-fares-well-mouse-studies/ or https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vast-therapeutics-formerly-novoclem-announces-results-showing-eradication-of-all-in-vitro-tested-multi-drug-resistant-bacteria-and-a-99-reduction-of-nontuberculous-mycobacteria-ntm-in-animal-model-300652648.html).
Past methods for inhalation of ordinary NO gas didn't work to get rid of NTMs or TB, but this new controlled release system Vast has developed does seem to be effective with NTMs.
It's a shame that people with NTMs haven't got the political clout to lobby drug companies to promptly pursue successful research results for NTMs. I wish there was something we could all do about that!!!
Anyway, there seems to be another study with NO for people with NTMs underway at University of South Carolina in 2018-2019, although it's not clear if they're using the new controlled release systems or not: 'A Proof of Concept Study of Inhaled Nitric Oxide for Adults With Pulmonary Non-Tuberculous Mycobacterial Infection' -- https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03748992 . (Principal Investigator: Patrick Flume, Medical University of South Carolina). Does anyone know anything about this trial?