A JOHNSTONE schoolboy has tragically lost his battle with cystic fibrosis just days after his family won a fight to access a drug which they believed could have helped save his life.

Ayden Cochrane sadly passed away after being given new hope when he was granted Trikafta by manufacturer Vertex, despite it not being licensed in Europe and unavailable on the NHS.

The 13-year-old had begged the firm to give him the medicine on compassionate grounds.

READ MORE: 'Don't let my son die' says Johnstone mum in heartbreaking plea for 'wonder drug'

Ayden's condition declined on Sunday with doctors placing him on a ventilator, the day after the Cochranes shared the news that he would be offered the drug.

But his family took to social media yesterday to announce the tragic news that he has 'gained his wings' after losing his battle.

In a heartbreaking post on Facebook, they wrote: "If loved could have saved you, you would have lived forever Ayden.

"I'm absolutely devastated but our precious boy was too tired for this world and has gained his wings.

"We know how many people loved Ayden he was an absolute warrior but he got tired and now he's at peace and pain free.

"We are without our son for just now but we will see you again."

Ayden had been at such an advanced stage of illness that two weeks ago he had to discuss his end-of-life care as his mum Tracey, 33, penned a desperate plea to US drug firm Vertex to save her “wonderful boy”. 

Trikafta, dubbed by Vertex as “almost a cure”, can’t be prescribed by UK doctors as it hasn’t been granted an EU licence. The only way sufferers can get it is if Vertex provide it under a compassionate-use scheme.

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