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The pharmaceutical firm says it means “290 patients in the UK will be able to access this medicine within weeks”. Mother Gemma Stevens is especially delighted as she has two children with the gene – Joe, 11, and Rosie, seven. Gemma, of Malvern, Worcestershire, said: “It’s amazing that we finally have these drugs available to secure a healthier future for my kids.

“I hope it will give them extra protection until they can access Vertex’s upcoming wonderdrug Trikafta, which is the game-changer.”

There are 10,509 people in the UK with CF, an incurable condition that coats the lungs with sticky mucus and affects the digestive system.

It is caused when someone inherits two mutated CFTR genes.

The most common of these is called F508, which can be treated with Vertex’s Orkambi and Symkevi drugs.

But to get Kalydeco, which helps keep a better balance of salt and water in the lungs – meaning less mucus – you must have one F508 gene and a second rarer gene like R117H.

EU and NHS drugs approvers are now analysing Vertex’s fourth drug for CF,Trikafta, to see if it can be licensed here.

Yesterday Vertex told the Daily Express, which has been fighting for Trikafta for CF patients, that 500 children across Europe will benefit from Kalydeco. Reshma Kewalramani, Vertex’s CEO and president, said: “Eight years ago, Kalydeco was the only medicine to treat the underlying cause of CF in patients with specific mutations.

“Since then, it’s been our goal to ensure that as many people with CF as possible are able to benefit from our treatments.”

To mark Cystic Fibrosis Week, the CF Trust charity is organising a virtual Big Yellow Party to raise funds for its emergency COVID-19 appeal, which we are backing.

People with CF are having to shield during the crisis because coronavirus also attacks the lungs.

David Ramsden, CF Trust chief executive, said: “Every day sufferers must weigh up risks of catching infections that could damage their lungs and result in lengthy hospital stays, on top of the rigorous daily exercise and treatment regime to stay healthy. Now more than ever we need to provide help and support and are thankful for the generous donations.”

CF Week usually ends with Wear Yellow Day, where people dress in yellow and hold fundraising events with family and friends.

This coming Sunday, the party will take place online instead, with people being urged to wear yellow and share a selfie using #CFyelfie.

Text YELLOW5, YELLOW10 or YELLOW20 to 70500 to donate £5, £10 or £20.

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