News

The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) has named Pauline Bianchi, a veteran nurse and pharmaceutical industry expert, its vice president of research and development. Two of her roles will be overseeing the PFF Care Center Network and PFF Therapeutics Network, key elements of the organization’s strategy to improve care and…

At a time of unprecedented polarization in Congress, two U.S. lawmakers — one Republican, one Democrat — are stressing the urgency of working across the aisle to help the estimated 30 million Americans with rare diseases. Rep. Leonard Lance (R-New Jersey) and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota) spoke to more…

Using statins to prevent cardiovascular disease is safe for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients, according to an analysis of trial data on the IPF therapy Ofev (nintedanib). Statin therapy does not contribute to lung function decline or diminish Ofev’s effectiveness in IPF patients, researchers said. Their analysis of data from…

An engineered protein called AD-114, being tested to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, helped to prevent inflammatory cells from infiltrating and collagen from accumulating in the lungs in a mouse model of the disease. These findings were part of a collaborative preclinical study conducted by researchers at Alfred Hospital and Monash…

A new subtype of stem cells that have the unique ability to perform two distinct functions at the same time was recently discovered by researchers at University of Queensland (UQ) in Australia. These cells can generate both endothelial and mesenchymal cells, meaning they hold the potential to regenerate or…

In recognition of Rare Disease Day 2018, Bionews Services — which publishes this website — will attend and report on three relevant conferences in the U.S. dealing with policies and programs of importance to patients and their families. The three are among 50 events in 32 states…