Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis causes scarring in the lungs that gradually makes breathing harder. Around 100,000 people in the U.S. live with IPF, diagnosed most often after age 60. Two approved drugs—pirfenidone and nintedanib—slow progression but don't reverse scarring, leaving median survival around three to five years from diagnosis.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing drugs that target different scarring pathways, inhaled therapies that reach lung tissue directly, combination treatments pairing the two approved drugs, and biologics that dampen specific immune signals. Researchers are also studying biomarkers to predict who will progress quickly and testing drugs that worked in other fibrotic diseases.
Anti-fibrotic combinations
Studies are testing whether using pirfenidone and nintedanib together slows scarring more than either drug alone. Early data suggest the combination may be tolerable for some patients.
Inhaled therapies
New drugs delivered by inhaler aim to reach scarred lung tissue at higher concentrations while reducing side effects. Several are in mid-stage trials.
Autotaxin inhibitors
These drugs block an enzyme involved in lung scarring. One candidate failed in recent trials, but researchers are testing whether different timing or patient selection might work better.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on lung function test results, how recently you were diagnosed, whether you're on pirfenidone or nintedanib, and whether you have other lung diseases besides IPF.
What types of trials are currently open
- Treatment trials — Testing new anti-fibrotic drugs against pirfenidone or nintedanib, measuring lung function decline over 12 to 18 months.
- Combination trials — Studies adding a new drug to pirfenidone or nintedanib, or testing the two approved drugs together.
- Inhaled therapy trials — Testing drugs delivered by nebulizer or inhaler that target lung tissue directly.
- Biomarker studies — Collecting blood and lung samples to find markers that predict disease progression and treatment response.
- Quality of life trials — Testing treatments for breathlessness, cough, fatigue, and other symptoms that affect daily function.
Recently added Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis trials
Complete breathing tests with different inhaler devices
The goal of this observational study is to learn about the inspiratory flow rate capability in patients with pulmonary fibrosis (IPF or PPF) when using inhaler devices with different resistances. The main questions it aims to answer are: What is the peak inspiratory flow rate (PIFR) that patients with pulmonary fibrosis can achieve through a medium-resistance inhaler device? What is the peak inspiratory flow rate (PIFR) that patients with pulmonary fibrosis can achieve through a high-resistance inhaler device? What is the inspiratory time (EIT) for each resistance level? Participants will use a portable device called In-Check™ DIAL G16, which simulates the resistance of different dry powder inhalers. Each participant will perform two breathing tests at a medium-resistance setting and two breathing tests at a high-resistance setting, with a 2-minute rest between settings. The device measures how fast air is breathed in and how long each breath lasts. This study will enroll 60 patients diagnosed with IPF or PPF at Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital. Participants will be involved for approximately 30 to 60 minutes, including training on how to use the device and the breathing tests. The study involves no drugs or invasive procedures.
Complete two CT scans to compare imaging technologies for lung disease
The CT-IPF ANTHEM study is designed to prospectively compare PCDCT to HRCT scan in the identification of specific ILD diagnosis discussed during the multidisciplinary discussion to increase diagnostic confidence and reduce unclassifiable ILD cases.
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