News

Compound in Medicinal Herb Shows Anti-fibrotic Potential

Magnesium lithospermate B, a compound found in a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, eased several features of pulmonary fibrosis (PF) in a mouse model of the disorder. According to investigators, the anti-fibrotic effects of this plant compound were comparable to those of Esbriet (pirfenidone), an approved treatment for…

Galapagos Advances GLPG4617 Into Phase 2 Trial

In a move that refocuses its clinical pipeline, Galapagos is discontinuing the development of GLPG1205, its experimental therapy for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and advancing its most recent IPF candidate, GLPG4617, into a Phase 2 clinical trial. These and other decisions toward a “more risk-balanced pipeline” are…

Vote Now for Breathless Ballad Challenge

Former New York Yankee and Grammy-nominated musician Bernie Williams will join musician, actress, and producer Queen Latifah, music duo The Bacon Brothers, singer-composer Paul Shaffer, and others to serve as a judge in the Breathless Ballad Challenge, a lyric competition that aims to raise awareness about idiopathic pulmonary…

IM156 on Fast Track as IPF Treatment

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted fast track status to IM156, ImmunoMet Therapeutics’ treatment candidate for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). “Fast track designation is another important milestone for ImmunoMet with the potential to speed our ability to advance IM156 to patients,” Benjamin Cowen PhD, ImmunoMet’s CEO,…

Umbilical Cord Stem Cells Hold Potential in PF Treatment

Small extracellular vesicles (EVs) released from umbilical cord stem cells seem to carry molecules that can inhibit the TGF-beta signaling pathway and reduce tissue damage in the lungs of mice with pulmonary fibrosis (PF), a study shows. The findings support further research on stem cell-derived EVs as a potential…

IPF Worsens Prognosis in Lung Cancer Patients

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is associated with poorer prognosis in patients with lung cancer, a study shows. People with lung cancer showed a higher risk of dying if IPF was present. The findings also suggest that lung cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, can contribute to poor clinical outcomes by…