News

A single dose of the investigational oral therapy PLN-74809 for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) achieved therapeutic target engagement of up to 98% in the lungs of patients, according to interim results of a Phase 2a trial. At all doses tested, the anti-fibrotic, or anti-scarring, therapy engaged its intended target…

Blocking the activity of a cell death-suppressing protein called Bcl-2 promoted the death of macrophages — a type of immune cell involved in pulmonary fibrosis (PF) — and reversed established lung scarring in a mouse model, a study showed. Notably, Bcl-2’s anchoring at the surface of macrophage mitochondria was…

Participation in clinical trials exposes rare disease patients to financial, physical, and emotional pressures, according to the results of a patient focus group series. “Rare disease trial participants are running an endurance race they are highly motivated to complete, but these incremental burdens negatively impact their ability or willingness to…

A trio of global companies is teaming up to develop an inhaled dry powder formulation of SF2523, an investigational small molecule that blocks the activity of two fibrosis-driving proteins that may help block tumor growth and ease lung scarring and inflammation. SF2523 is being developed as a treatment for…

In preclinical studies, PRS-220, Pieris Pharmaceuticals’ experimental inhaled therapy for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), showed stronger lung tissue penetration and anti-scarring effects than pamrevlumab — an into-the-vein, mechanistically similar IPF therapy currently being tested in a Phase 3 clinical trial. These promising findings, which support Pieris’…

A new service, Bionews Clinical is seeking to bring more patients into relevant clinical trials by helping all involved — scientists, pharmaceutical companies, people with diseases — regard these studies as part of continuing care. “Today what happens is that the conversation about patients participating in a clinical trial is…

The National Organization for Rare Disorders, known as NORD, was named an official charity partner of the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon, which will be held Nov. 7 both in-person and online. “Supporting charitable causes and organizations are a long-standing tradition of the TCS New York City…

Aiming to get people at risk for lung disorders more quickly diagnosed and treated, nine patient organizations — including the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) — are collaborating to present the first Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) Day, to be held Wednesday, Sept. 15. The goal of the daylong observance is…

September is Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF) Awareness Month, and organizations across the globe are doing their part to bring more public education to the rare lung disease that affects more than 250,000 people in the U.S. The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) is spearheading the U.S. efforts with its theme…

A protein called PDIA3 is overactive in pulmonary fibrosis (PF), and contributes to the disease by driving the production of signaling molecules that promote tissue scarring, a new study shows. The researchers found that blocking PDIA3 activity can lessen such fibrosis, or tissue scarring, in a mouse model of…