Harold R. Collard
European Respiratory Journal 2023 61: 2202355; DOI: 10.1183/13993003.02355-2022
Clinical development activities in pulmonary fibrosis have been robust since the regulatory approval. Most recently, these have produced the PINTA trial, a phase II randomised controlled trial of GLPG1205, a G-protein-coupled receptor antagonist in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) []. Unfortunately, there is little to cheer about. Despite a committed community of patients, providers, researchers and sponsors, we begin our second decade of the “anti-fibrotic” era without additional treatment options for this deadly disease. This is deeply, deeply disappointing and represents a failure of our field to address the needs of our patients.
Clinical drug discovery in pulmonary fibrosis needs to evolve. Embedded trials, expedited approvals, and inclusive design are three important areas for change. https://bit.ly/3UUU5M7
Conflict of interest: H.R. Collard reports grants from National Institutes of Health, participation on a data safety monitoring board or advisory board for National Institutes of Health and Fibrogen, and a leadership role with the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.