Hopeful about the growing interest in IPF research and investment
Today, there is more funded research, more data, and greater investment opportunities
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Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is emerging as a “hot spot” for drug development research, according to the nonprofit CheckOrphan, which notes that “investor and industry interest is accelerating.”
A May 2026 article on the organization’s website notes recent activity by Avalyn Pharma, which has secured $100 million in research funding, along with recent moves by Bristol Myers Squibb into IPF research. According to the article, the “global IPF market generated nearly $3 billion in 2025 and is projected to approach $7 billion by 2035.”
When I was diagnosed with IPF in January 2017, choices for therapy were limited. Esbriet (pirfenidone) and Ofev (nintedanib) had been introduced three years earlier, and patients were often prescribed prednisone.
Good work in IPF research
Today, there is more funded research, more data available to investigators, streamlined processes for orphan drugs, and greater investment opportunities in the IPF space. A lot of work is going into better understanding the causes of all forms of PF, disease progression, and a potential cure. And those efforts are showing results.
The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) has also funded research since its establishment in 2000. Today, the organization, through its PFF Scholars program, provides $100,000 grants over two-year periods to early-career investigators. Meanwhile, the PFF Community Registry collects clinical and patient-centric information for the research community to use. Patients, caregivers, lung transplant recipients, and family members are all encouraged to enroll in the registry.
In October 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Jascayd (nerandomilast), making it the first new IPF therapy in more than a decade. In December 2025, its approval was expanded to include adults with progressive pulmonary fibrosis, and it was recently approved for use in the EU.
As a consumer peer reviewer for the Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program, I have been fortunate to have a behind-the-scenes look at research into possible causes of IPF and reasons the disease might accelerate. In every panel I’ve participated in, I knew the scientists heard my voice as a consumer, and I felt my perspective made a difference.
More than anything else, what patients want is a cure for pulmonary fibrosis. I am encouraged not only by current IPF clinical trials, but also by the development of drugs for other interstitial lung diseases. With all the investments in IPF, I’m hopeful that the future will bring more opportunities for us to make every breath count.
Note: Pulmonary Fibrosis News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Pulmonary Fibrosis News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to pulmonary fibrosis.
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