What a Difference a Year Makes

My husband, Jonny, and I return to the University of Nevada, Reno, every year for our alumni rugby game. The first weekend of October is among the best of the year. Our parents come to watch, and for one magical day we have our closest friends and family in one…

A Japanese agency has cleared MediciNova’s request for a patent covering the use of its orally available candidates MN-001 (tipelukast) and MN-002 — a major metabolite of MN-001 — in treating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The company announced it has received a Notice of Allowance from…

Our bodies are amazing machines, but we can be hard on them sometimes. My adventurous spirit has led to some accidents and injuries, but my body always prevails. When I push myself too far, my body forces me to rest, reminding…

New research provides important insights into the process of activation and formation of cells that are crucial for fibrosis to occur, uncovering potential targets that can help control fibrosis in chronic diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis (PF). Scientists at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University (LKSOM) discovered…

Final data from the PRAISE trial support the efficacy and safety of pamrevlumab, an investigational therapy for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) being developed by FibroGen. Data showed that into-the-vein (intravenous) infusions of pamrevlumab reduced the decline in respiratory function by 60.3%. It also cut to…

MN-001, a potential treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), will soon have patent protections in China. MediciNova, the company developing MN-001 (tipelukast), received a Notice of Allowance from the Chinese Patent Office, which means that the company’s application fulfills all necessary requirements. Once issued, the patent is expected to…

In times of trouble, I remember the words of Mister Rogers’ mother, who said to always “look for the helpers.” Until recently, that advice comforted me more in theory than in practice. It was easy to look for — and see — my helpers, but I seldom called…

The idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) treatment candidate BBT-877 is safe and well-tolerated in healthy volunteers, and markedly reduced the plasma levels of a lipid molecule involved in inflammation and fibrosis, according to results of a Phase 1 clinical trial. The research, “BBT-877, a potent Autotaxin…

After I received my single-lung transplant in December 2015, I was required to participate in a pulmonary rehabilitation program to build up my strength and lung function. I had a choice of several programs in my immediate area, and through my research, I found the best center for…

As I write this, my legs are elevated and I’m applying ice to my swollen feet in the small cottage I’ve rented on the southeastern side of the island of Oahu in Hawaii. Despite my aching feet, sunburned legs, tired eyes, and sore shoulders, I feel overwhelmed with gratitude. I…