Sweat Chloride: More Than Just a Number with Dr. Patrick Sosnay

If you’ve ever been part of the cystic fibrosis community, you’ve probably heard of the sweat chloride test, maybe you’ve even had one yourself. But what does that test really measure, and why does it still matter in the age of CF modulators?

Laura talks with Dr. Patrick Sosnay, Vice President and Head of CF Development at Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Before joining Vertex, Dr. Sosnay was a clinician and researcher at Johns Hopkins, where he helped define the genetic criteria for diagnosing CF and co-founded the influential CFTR2 database.

Dr. Sosnay brings his expertise, and a gift for explaining complex science. He unpacks the real story behind sweat chloride testing. Together, we explore:

* What the sweat test actually measures — and how it connects to the CFTR protein.
* Why sweat chloride is still vital long after diagnosis.
* How researchers use it to track CF progression and measure treatment success.
* What all this means for people living with CF and their families today.

This episode redefines the sweat chloride test as more than just a diagnostic number, it’s a powerful marker of health, innovation, and hope for the future.

Listen now and gain a fresh perspective on one of the most familiar, yet evolving parts of cystic fibrosis care.

(Vertex is a sponsor of this podcast. The Bonnell Foundation remains committed to transparent, balanced conversations that serve the CF community first.)

Additionaly we explore:

What the sweat test measures and how it’s tied to the CFTR protein (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator).

Why sweat chloride remains important well beyond diagnosis.

How researchers use it to understand CF progression and evaluate new treatments.

What this means for families and patients living with CF every day.

This episode shares the reframing of the sweat chloride test, not as a simple number, but as a meaningful marker of health, research, and hope for the future.

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