Patricia Inácio, PhD, science writer —

Patricia holds her PhD in cell biology from the University Nova de Lisboa, Portugal, and has served as an author on several research projects and fellowships, as well as major grant applications for European agencies. She also served as a PhD student research assistant in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University, New York, for which she was awarded a Luso-American Development Foundation (FLAD) fellowship.

Articles by Patricia Inácio

Fibrosis-targeted Therapies Will Be Focus of Start-up Based on Discovery at Singapore Lab

Research into key drivers of fibrosis will be used by a Singapore-funded biotechnology start-up, Enleofen Bio, to possibly develop first-in-class therapeutics for pulmonary fibrosis (PF) and other fibrosis-related diseases. The intellectual property that came from the work performed at two Singapore institutions, Duke-NUS Medical School (Duke-NUS) and National Heart Centre…

Review Study Summarizes Nutritional Goals for IPF Patients

Doctors increasingly recognize nutrition as a key factor in improving overall function, exercise tolerance and quality of life in patients with pulmonary fibrosis and other lung diseases. With that in mind, a team has reviewed current literature and summarized nutritional goals for lung disease patients. The review titled “Nutrition…

FibroGen Shares Positive Results of Phase 2 Trial of Investigational Therapy Pamrevlumab

A Phase 2 trial testing the investigational therapy pamrevlumab (FG-3019) in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) has shown positive and encouraging results, FibroGen, the drug’s developer, announced. In addition, combining pamrevlumab with the FDA-approved IPF therapies Esbriet (pirfenidone) and Ofev (nintedanib) was found to be safe. These results will be…

Protein Prompts Immune System to Attack the Body, and Its Levels Correlate with Outcomes, Study Shows

The protein vimentin triggers autoimmune reactions in people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and the intensity of the reactions correlates with the severity of the disease, according to a study. The findings underscore scientists’ belief that autoimmunity — the immune system attacking the body’s own cells instead of invaders — plays…

FDA Grants Orphan Drug Designation to Samumed’s Investigational SM04646 for IPF Treatment

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted orphan drug status to SM04646, a therapy developed by San Diego-based Samumed to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). This designation provides several benefits, including tax incentives, exemption from the FDA user fee and potential market exclusivity for seven years following approval. SM04646,…

Australian IPF Registry Identifies Characteristics, Predictors of Mortality Among Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Patients

Australia’s national registry of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) includes patients of diverse ages, disease severity and co-morbidities, and shows that baseline lung function and GAP (gender, age, physiology) stage are important prognostic markers for mortality. The study, “Baseline characteristics of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: analysis from the…

Lung Therapeutics Raises $14.3 Million to Develop Treatments for Pulmonary Fibrosis, Other Diseases

Lung Therapeutics announced June 6 that it has completed a $14.3 million Series B financing round to support development of LTI-03, its lead therapy for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). LTI-03 has already showed promising results for other conditions including scleroderma and cardiac fibrosis. The funds will also support clinical trials, now underway in Australia and…