News

Automated Imaging Method Seen to Accurately Capture PF Severity

A new, automated computer image analysis technique was able to accurately assess and measure the severity of pulmonary fibrosis (PF) using patients’ lung tissue samples, a study reported. According to its researchers, this technique may complement conventional measures of disease severity, and could prove useful in assessing a range…

Nominations Open for 2022 Eurordis Black Pearl Awards

Nominations are now open for the worldwide 2022 Black Pearl Awards from Eurordis-Rare Diseases Europe. The 12 award categories recognize individual advocates, policy makers, researchers, organizations, and companies who work to make a difference for the global rare disease community. The deadline for nominations is Sept. 10…

Enrollment Resumes in GALACTIC-1 Trial of Inhaled Therapy GB0139

Enrollment has resumed, under a revised trial protocol, in the Phase 2b study GALACTIC-1, which is evaluating Galecto’s investigational inhaled therapy GB0139 in adults with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Galecto in March had been advised to stop recruiting and treating certain trial participants after disparities were…

NeRRe Raises £20M to Develop Orvepitant for IPF Chronic Cough

NeRRe Therapeutics has raised £20 million (nearly $28 million) to develop orvepitant as a treatment for the chronic cough that can impact quality of life for people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Orvepitant’s efficacy has been demonstrated in patients with refractory or unexplained chronic cough associated with reflex…

Study to Test If Wearable Device Can Predict Symptom Worsening

Researchers at the University of Alberta are studying whether combining a commercially available wearable device with artificial intelligence can effectively predict symptom worsening in people with chronic lung conditions, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Developed by New York-based Health Care Originals to monitor asthma, the ADAMM-RSM…

PFF Summit Will Focus on Research, Quality of Life

With an emphasis on research and how well patients are living, the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation’s (PFF) PFF Summit 2021 is set to take place virtually Nov. 8–13. The global biennial pulmonary fibrosis (PF) conference, which is sponsored in part by Boehringer Ingelheim, will offer live, interactive educational…

Extracellular Matrix Not Seen as Direct Cause of Cell Aging in IPF

Alterations in the extracellular matrix — the network of molecules that surrounds and supports cells — and cell aging, a process of called senescence, both contribute to tissue scarring in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), according to a recent study. Yet, matrix changes do not lead to senescence, implying that…