Testing a new medication against a current treatment for lung scarring

Plain-English translation of NCT07284602 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated July 2026 · Translation generated July 2026 · How we translate trials

Phase 3 — Testing in thousands of people, comparing the treatment against what doctors currently use. This is the last big step before approval.

What is this trial?

This study is testing whether a new medication called works better than pirfenidone, a treatment already approved for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (a condition where lung tissue becomes scarred and stiff over time). About 1,100 people will be randomly assigned to take either the new medication or the standard treatment for at least one year, while researchers track how well each medication slows the disease.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a serious condition that gradually makes it harder to breathe as lung tissue scars. Doctors want to find out if this new medication can work better or be easier to tolerate than the current standard treatment.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are 40 years of age or older
you have been diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis within the past 7 years
you have not previously taken pirfenidone or the new medication being tested
your lung function test shows your forced vital capacity is at least 45% of normal
you have imaging (a CT scan) from the past 12 months showing the typical pattern of this lung disease

You likely don't qualify if…

you have been hospitalized in the past 3 months for a flare-up of your lung disease
you have significant heart disease, liver disease, or kidney problems
you are currently taking more than 10 mg per day of prednisone (a steroid), unless you've been on a stable dose for at least 30 days
you have used tobacco or cannabis products in the past 3 months or cannot avoid them during the study
you have a history of cancer within the past 5 years or are currently being treated for cancer

What participation looks like

You will take a capsule three times daily for at least 52 weeks (one year), with the option to continue for up to two additional years depending on when you join. You'll have regular clinic visits for breathing tests, blood work, and imaging scans to measure how your lungs are responding. Neither you nor your doctor will know which medication you're receiving—that information is kept secret to ensure fair results.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jul 20, 2026 · Not medical advice

Testing a new medication against a current treatment for lung scarring

What is this trial?

Do you qualify?

What participation looks like

Trial locations(9 sites)