Marisa Wexler, MS, senior science writer —

Some people with so-called “long COVID” — breathlessness and other respiratory symptoms that persist long after the acute phase of COVID-19 infection — may have had undiagnosed pulmonary fibrosis before they contracted the infection. Scientists at University of Michigan Health reported these findings in the study, “…

Chiesi announced it has secured from UCB rights to zampilimab, a monoclonal antibody being investigated to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and other fibrotic diseases. Under the agreement, Chiesi acquired global exclusive rights to develop and manufacture the potential antifibrotic therapy, and to market it should it be approved.

LYT-100 (deupirfenidone), an experimental oral therapy containing a similar active ingredient to Esbriet, was well-tolerated at all tested doses — and did not reach the maximum tolerated dose or MTD — in a Phase 1 trial conducted in healthy volunteers. PureTech Health, which is developing LYT-100 for…

The American Thoracic Society (ATS) has premiered a docuseries called “Helping the World to Breathe,” showcasing the society’s commitment to advancing care for people with lung diseases. Over 16 episodes, the series highlights stories from clinicians, researchers, and patients collaborating to advance care. For example, scientists and patients at…

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded a grant to support research into immune mechanisms that could allow for the reversal of fibrosis, or tissue scarring, in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The $469,034 award went to Narendiran Rajasekaran, PhD, and Archana Varadaraj, PhD, both of whom are assistant…

Reviva Pharmaceuticals is planning to seek the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) permission to begin Phase 2 clinical trials testing its investigational therapy brilaroxazine in people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). “We … expect to begin regulatory submissions to the FDA…

Agomab Therapeutics and Origo Biopharma are joining forces to develop new therapies for pulmonary fibrosis (PF) and other conditions caused by excessive tissue scarring, or fibrosis. “Agomab and Origo share a common vision that targeting growth factors has tremendous disease-modifying potential,” Tim Knotnerus, Agomab’s CEO, said in…

Healthcare providers should broach the topic of palliative care — specialized care that may or may not include hospice — with pulmonary fibrosis (PF) patients shortly after they are diagnosed, according to a position statement recently issued by the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF). “Soon after diagnosis, discussions of…

Smoking cigarettes substantially increases the risk of developing idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), according to a population-based study conducted in Korea. The findings indicate the risk of IPF is greater in current smokers, compared with people who used to smoke but have since quit. The study, “Impact…

A new diagnostic tool, the Envisia Genomic Classifier, can help make doctors more confident and accurate in diagnosing idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a new survey suggests. Using the Envisa tool, by Veracyte, also may help in increasing the proportion of patients referred to proper treatment, the survey found.