Respiratory

USP43 targeting protects against acute lung injury

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Acute lung injury (ALI) is an inflammatory pulmonary disease mainly caused by infection. It can progress to the life-threatening condition acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). ALI/ARDS account for a high mortality rate of about 40%. Elucidating the mechanisms behind ALI/ARDS is crucial for developing new therapeutics.

Astrazeneca nabs PDE3/4 inhibitor for COPD in $2.1B Sino deal

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Astrazeneca plc has added a dual PDE3/4 inhibitor candidate to its chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) portfolio via a deal worth up to $2.1 billion with Chia Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd., a Sino Biopharmaceutical Ltd. subsidiary.

Zymeworks bolsters royalty stream with Theravance buy

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400

One company was looking to add to its royalty stream and R&D portfolio. The other was seeking strategic alternatives in the wake of clinical misfires over the last few years. In an agreement aimed at satisfying both goals, Zymeworks Inc. will acquire Theravance Biopharma Inc., paying $17 per share, or about $929 million, though the transaction is structured in a way that minimizes the former’s current capital position.

Inhaled ALK5 inhibitor delivers lung-targeted antifibrotic effects

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400

ALK5 mediates the core profibrotic TGF-β signaling cascade that promotes fibroblast activation, myofibroblast differentiation and extracellular matrix production, ultimately leading to persistent tissue remodeling and lung fibrosis.

WHO to declare hantavirus outbreak over as quarantines end

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400

The outbreak of hantavirus infection first reported on the MV Hondius cruise ship on May 2 is all but over, with most isolating passengers, crew members and other contacts leaving quarantine over the past week, as the 42-day incubation period drew to an end.

Pulmonary inflammation unveils three severe pneumonia subtypes

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Molecular subtyping of disease is typically associated with cancer. Now, researchers at the University of Cambridge are applying it to infections.

EFPIA report: Every €1 spent on new drugs returns €5.67 to Europe’s economy

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400

The industry is stepping up its campaign to persuade European governments to increase their drugs budgets, in what is described as a landmark report making the case that spending on patented drugs is not a cost to be contained, but an investment in health and the economy.

Pulmonary inflammation unveils three severe pneumonia subtypes

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Molecular subtyping of disease is typically associated with cancer. Now, researchers at the University of Cambridge are applying it to infections. Some patients with severe pneumonia progress in different ways. Predicting their trajectories could help tailor treatments and prevent fatal outcomes. To do this, the scientists analyzed bronchoalveolar fluid from several patient cohorts and identified three biological pneumotypes based on which cells are present, which genes are active, and which inflammatory proteins are produced.

Dual autotaxin inhibitor/PPAR-γ agonist alleviates pulmonary fibrosis in vivo

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a chronic, progressive disease of unknown etiology, is the most common and fatal interstitial lung disease. Currently available treatments for IPF, such as pirfenidone and nintedanib, can slow disease progression and reduce mortality in patients who can tolerate them. However, these drugs frequently cause significant side effects and have been unable to improve quality of life in pivotal trials, which highlights the critical need for discovering novel IPF treatment strategies.

Longbio’s LP-003 meets phase III allergy endpoints

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400

After raising HK$1.255 billion (US$160 million) in its IPO on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange earlier this month, Longbio Pharma Co. Ltd.’s lead candidate, LP-003, met the primary endpoint of total nasal symptom scores during peak pollen season in moderate to severe seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Longbio’s LP-003 meets phase III allergy endpoints

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Innate immunity and microbiome allied against pulmonary fibrosis

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400

The microbiome and a frontline innate antimicrobial sensor, Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5), play an essential role in the development of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). A scientific collaboration led by researchers at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences has revealed how TLR5 protects against fibrosis through its ability to modulate the lung microbiome. Their study also shows that activating TLR5 protects against fibrosis and corrects pulmonary dysbiosis.

Longbio to raise HK$1.4B in Hong Kong IPO for immunology work

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Chinese biotech Longbio Pharma Co. Ltd. announced its IPO on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange to raise HK$1.362 billion (US$174 million) to progress its lead candidate, LP-003, a next-generation anti-IgE antibody.

TROP2 ADCs progress into first-line for lung, breast cancers

Thu, 28 May 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Multiple updates on TROP2-directed antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for lung and breast cancers highlight both progress made and opportunities for improvement for the targeted class of cancer therapeutics.

Longbio to raise HK$1.4B in Hong Kong IPO for immunology work

Thu, 28 May 2026 12:00:00 -0400

TROP2 ADCs progress into first-line for lung, breast cancers

Thu, 28 May 2026 12:00:00 -0400

New evidence links autoimmunity to long COVID symptoms

Thu, 28 May 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Recent findings are reshaping current understanding of the post-infection landscape of SARS-CoV-2. Although previous studies had already suggested that autoimmunity might underlie the persistent neurological symptoms seen in long COVID, researchers at Yale University and Mount Sinai now reinforce this hypothesis. SARS-CoV-2 infection appears to trigger an autoimmune mechanism that drives chronic pain, fatigue and cognitive impairment in some patients.

Newco news: Oorja energizes with $30M for IPF

Fri, 22 May 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Oorja Bio Inc., named after the phonetic spelling of “energy” in Sanskrit, secured $30 million from founding investor Westlake Biopartners in a series A financing round to advance its in-licensing approach to develop drugs for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and other fibrotic and cardiopulmonary diseases.

EMA poised to be 4th regulator approving Boehringer’s Jascayd lung drug

Fri, 22 May 2026 12:00:00 -0400

As generic versions of its blockbuster drug Ofev (nintedanib) start to hit the market, Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH looks to have swerved the patent cliff, with European and Japanese regulators both approving a potential replacement, Jascayd (nerandomilast), this week. At its monthly meeting, the EMA’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use also recommended Novartis AG’s Vijoice (alpelisib) be given conditional approval in the treatment of PIK3CA-related overgrowth spectrum disorders.

Infex has positive phase IIa data in bronchiectasis; preps for next trial

Thu, 21 May 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Infex Therapeutics Ltd. has published positive phase IIa data for its lead program, RESP-X, in the treatment of exacerbations of chronic respiratory infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and is now laying the ground for phase IIb development, after raising £4.3 million (US$5.8 million) in new capital.

Korro Bio nominates new candidate for AATD

Tue, 19 May 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Korro Bio Inc. has announced the selection of KRRO-111 as a development candidate for the treatment of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD), a genetic disorder most commonly caused by a single missense mutation in SERPINA1.

HCW Biologics’ HCW11-040 prevents bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Fri, 15 May 2026 09:00:00 -0400

HCW Biologics Inc.’s HCW11-040 has been shown in IND-enabling studies to prevent bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a rare pediatric disease affecting underweight premature infants.

Novel PROTAC degrader targeting SAMHD1 disclosed

Wed, 13 May 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Chinese researchers reported the discovery and preclinical characterization of a novel PROTAC degrader designed to target SAMHD1 and intended for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.

APAC monitors hantavirus as Singapore isolates 2 from cruise ship

Tue, 12 May 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Singapore’s Communicable Diseases Agency on May 7 said that it isolated two residents for hantavirus testing after the individuals disembarked from an Atlantic cruise ship on May 2 and May 6, respectively. The measure comes in response to the cluster of cases from the cruise ship, MV Hondius, that has resulted in three deaths so far.

APAC monitors hantavirus as Singapore isolates 2 from cruise ship

Fri, 08 May 2026 12:00:00 -0400

First measles treatment advances as vaccination rates drop

Thu, 07 May 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Scientists at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology have identified and characterized human antibodies that neutralize the measles virus by blocking its entry into the cell. This is the first time that antibodies have been shown to bind effectively to two essential viral proteins, creating a dual blockade that prevents infection. Unlike the current vaccine, which is based on an attenuated virus and is not recommended for immunocompromised individuals, these monoclonal antibodies could be used both as a new vaccine approach and as a treatment for the entire population.

Agomab Therapeutics patents new TGFBR1 inhibitors

Tue, 05 May 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Agomab Therapeutics NV has identified new TGF-β receptor type-1 (TGFBR1; ALK5; SKR4; TβR-I) inhibitors designed for use in the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Mists of Avalyn thicken with $300M IPO for inhaled drugs

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 12:00:00 -0400

The memory of Merck & Co. Inc.’s $10 billion takeover last year of inhaled respiratory drug specialist Verona Pharma plc may not have been far from the minds of Wall Street speculators as Avalyn Pharma Inc. priced its IPO, selling about 16.6 million shares at the high end of the targeted range, or $18 each, to reap about $300 million. The stock (NASDAQ:AVLN) came out of the gate strong on the first day of trading and closed April 30 at $29.49, up $11.49, or 64%.

Addex’s GABA-B PAM studied in IPF-related chronic cough model

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Addex Therapeutics Ltd. has released preclinical data demonstrating antitussive activity of its γ-aminobutyric acid subtype B receptor (GABA-B) positive allosteric modulator (PAM) candidate in a bleomycin-induced idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)-exacerbated chronic cough model.

Sun Pharma to acquire Merck spinoff Organon for $11.75B

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Sun Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd. will pay $11.75 billion cash to acquire Organon & Co. The transaction is expected to close in early 2027. The addition of Organon’s women’s health products, legacy drug brands and biosimilars are expected to boost Mumbai, India-based Sun’s global reach. The all-cash buy is also expected to relieve Jersey City, N.J.-based Organon of an $8.6 billion debt pile, accumulated after its debt-laden 2021 spinout from Merck & Co. Inc.