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A natural compound called gentiopicroside effectively lowers inflammation and tissue scarring in a mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis (PF), say researchers at China’s Kunming Medical University. Since the plant-derived compound targets both fibrotic and inflammatory processes, researchers suggested it may be an ideal drug candidate for lung fibrosis — particularly…

This week marks the launch of the “7,000 Mile Rare Movement,” a nationwide effort to raise money for research into the 7,000 known rare diseases that afflict at least 30 million Americans. The campaign kicks off Feb. 1 and culminates with Rare Disease Day on Feb. 28. Organized by…

Members of an unusual singing group in Bristol, England, are not just having fun, but learning more about their lung diseases. In addition to helping them explore breathing and breathlessness, it’s helping researchers learn about the disorders as well. The group, which includes pulmonary fibrosis patients, is part of a…

Advanced Interactive Response Systems (AIRS), Owlstone Medical and patientMpower are the three winners of the $1 million IPF Catalyst Challenge presented by Three Lakes Partners, a philanthropy organization financing research of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The three winners will receive $333,333 each to develop their projects. Level Ex received the competition’s Audience…

A project that aims to develop a new system to deliver therapies specifically to the lungs of patients with pulmonary fibrosis (PF) was awarded a research grant by the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Medical Innovation. The funding was part of the center’s 2017 Round 2 Pilot Funding Program…

The IPF Catalyst Challenge is being held in Chicago, Illinois today as nine finalists make their final pitch in a competition for $1 million in funding for innovative, meaningful solutions to improve the quality of life for people living with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Among the finalists is patientMpower, a…

Only a minority of patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) swiftly receive a correct diagnosis, while more than half are misdiagnosed at least once, finds a Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) survey of 600 ILD patients. Meanwhile, patients go through invasive and costly diagnostic procedures — often without the desired result.

The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation plans to expand its U.S. Care Center Network from the existing 45 facilities, which provide diagnosis and treatment. The network started with nine sites when it was launched in 2013. The foundation wants to see enough centers so 90 percent of patients in urban areas…

Researchers identified a molecular pathway called ER stress, and a molecular factor known as PI3K, as promoters of pulmonary fibrosis in mice. This research suggests that PI3K and ER stress inhibitors are potential therapeutic options for pulmonary fibrosis. The study reporting the findings, “Involvement of ER stress, PI3K/AKT activation,…

Health Canada has issued a safety warning on Boehringer Ingelheim’s idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis therapy Ofev (nintedanib) after patients in a number of countries developed liver injuries and one died. IPF patients should stop taking Ofev and seek medical assistance if they develop signs of liver damage, Canadian officials said. Those…