A protein called DACT2 alleviated signs of lung scarring in mouse models of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), researchers reported. In tests in cells, DACT2 was found to work by suppressing glycolysis, an energy-producing metabolic process that is overactive in myofibroblasts, the cells involved in excess scar tissue formation in IPF.
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A new startup company called Isterian Biotech has launched with the goal of developing new therapies for fibrotic diseases. Isterian is working to develop a first-in-class group of small molecules that would inhibit a protein called transglutaminase 2 (TG2), which plays a key role in fibrosis, or tissue scarring. Preclinical…
A Phase 2b clinical trial testing NP-120 (ifenprodil) as a treatment for chronic cough is expected to begin later this year, according to the therapy’s developer, Algernon Pharmaceuticals. But plans for a Phase 2b study of NP-120 in people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) are postponed “until…
Changes in blood levels of Krebs von den Lungen-6 — a protein produced by certain lung cells and known as KL-6 — can help predict the risk of disease progression in people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) who’ve been treated with the anti-fibrotic medicines Esbriet (pirfenidone) and Ofev (nintedanib),…
Treatment with an extract of scorpion venom eased lung scarring in a mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis (PF), a study reported. The study, “Scorpion venom polypeptide governs alveolar macrophage M1/M2 polarization to alleviate pulmonary fibrosis,” was published in the journal Tissue and Cell. Scorpions and…
The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) has added Cedars-Sinai Medical Center to its Care Center Network (CCN), a group of medical centers specializing in treating and supporting people with pulmonary fibrosis (PF). Cedars-Sinai is one of seven medical centers the foundation recently added to the network, bringing the total…
The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) has added seven new medical centers to its Care Center Network (CCN) to improve pulmonary fibrosis (PF) patients’ nationwide access to specialized care. The expansion brings to 81 the number of care network facilities in 35 U.S. states. Six sites were added in…
Pliant Therapeutics’ experimental oral anti-fibrotic therapy bexotegrast has received orphan drug designation from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) as a potential treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), the company announced. EMA gives this designation to therapies that have the potential to improve care for conditions that affect fewer…
Medicom Technologies is partnering with the Open Source Imaging Consortium (OSIC) to extend access to anonymized clinical information — key for the detection and diagnosis of rare diseases, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and other interstitial lung diseases (ILDs). Both organizations…
Vicore Pharma has launched the pivotal part of its COMPANION study to test Almee, a digital app designed to help people with pulmonary fibrosis (PF) cope with anxiety. Almee is a digital cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) developed by Vicore…
