Marta Figueiredo, PhD, managing science editor —

Marta holds a biology degree, a master’s in evolutionary and developmental biology, and a PhD in biomedical sciences from the University of Lisbon, Portugal. She was awarded a research scholarship and a PhD scholarship, and her research focused on the role of several signaling pathways in thymus and parathyroid glands embryonic development. She also previously worked as an assistant professor of an annual one-week embryology course at the University of Lisbon’s Faculty of Medicine.

Articles by Marta Figueiredo

Saracatinib as Effective, or Superior to Ofev, Esbriet in IPF Models: Study

AstraZeneca’s experimental oral therapy saracatinib — originally developed to treat certain cancers — was found to be at least as effective, and even superior to the approved therapies Ofev (nintedanib) and Esbriet (pirfenidone) in treating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in several preclinical models of the respiratory disease. Saracatinib worked…

TGFBI, Protein Linked to Lung Cancer, May Be IPF Treatment Target

The levels of transforming growth factor-beta-induced protein (TGFBI), a molecule involved in lung development and cancer, are significantly increased in cellular and rodent models of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a study showed. TGFBI was also found to mediate the pro-scarring effects of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) — a protein that plays…

Cymerus MSCs Ease Inflammation, Show Promise for Treating IPF

Cymerus mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), Cynata Therapeutics’ experimental cell therapy, significantly lowered the levels of pro-inflammatory and pro-scarring molecules in the lungs of a mouse model of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), the company announced. The “highly potent” therapy also was shown to significantly reduce immune cell infiltration, and the…

Inconsistent Preclinical Results Delay NXP002’s Potential Move to Trials

Inconsistent results in the final planned preclinical study of NXP002, Nuformix’s experimental inhaled therapy for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), delayed completion of the preclinical data package needed for a potential advancement into clinical trials. The U.K.-based company, through an outsourced contract research organization (CRO), now plans to conduct additional…

With Positive Early Findings, Phase 2 Cudetaxestat Trial Expected Soon

Blade Therapeutics’ experimental oral therapy, Cudetaxestat (BLD-0409), was found to significantly reduce lung scarring (fibrosis) and the levels of fibrotic markers and pro-fibrotic molecules in a mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis. “Cudetaxestat displayed direct anti-fibrotic effects on multiple biomarkers in a preclinical lung fibrosis model,” Blade said in…

BI 1015550 Slows IPF Lung Function Decline in Phase 2 Clinical Trial

Boehringer Ingelheim’s experimental oral therapy, BI 1015550, slowed lung function decline in people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), regardless of whether they were receiving approved anti-scarring therapies, according to final data from a Phase 2 clinical trial. “As the global market leader in pulmonary fibrosis, we have the ambition…

Targeting Pro-scarring Immune Cells Thwarts, Reduces PF in Mice

Using nanoparticles to deliver an anti-scarring RNA molecule to pro-scarring lung macrophages — a type of immune cell — prevented and reduced lung tissue fibrosis in a mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis (PF), a study shows. To specifically target pro-fibrotic macrophages, researchers at University of Illinois College of Medicine (UICM)…