Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation Offers Clinical Trial Update Webinar

CHICAGO, May 18, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --

WHO: The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) will discuss results from recent idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) clinical trials in an upcoming webinar.  Boehringer Ingelheim and InterMune both recently released data from their Phase III randomized, placebo-controlled trials, each demonstrating efficacy for those living with IPF. Also results from the IPFnet N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) randomized trial will be presented.

WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE: Anyone interested in learning about the results from these important clinical trials and what effect they will have on the pulmonary fibrosis (PF) community. Viewers will be able to submit questions to our medical experts.

WHAT: Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation webinar "Ask a Doc: Clinical Trial Update" in which Dr. Gregory P. Cosgrove, Dr. Kevin R. Flaherty and Dr. David J. Lederer will explain the findings of recent clinical trials presented at the ATS meeting, and they will also answer questions from the viewers.

"The PF community has struggled to find successful treatments for those impacted by this disease," said Daniel M. Rose, MD, Chief Executive Officer and PFF Chairman of the Board. "This is a significant day for the PF community because after years of few therapeutic options, patients with IPF will finally have some choices."

Boehringer Ingelheim released the results from their INPULSIS trials examining the safety and efficacy of nintedanib in patients with IPF. The primary endpoint in these trials, the annual rate of decline in forced vital capacity (FVC), was significantly reduced, indicating the rate of disease progression in the group receiving nintedanib was slower than those taking placebo.

InterMune released results from the ASCEND trial confirming that pirfenidone has an effect on disease progression in patients with IPF. This 52-week trial showed a statistically significant reduction in the rate of decline in FVC in those receiving pirfenidone versus those receiving placebo. This indicates that pirfenidone is effective in slowing disease progression in patients with IPF. Based on this data, InterMune has communicated its intent to resubmit a New Drug Application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to seek approval of pirfenidone to treat individuals with mild-to-moderate IPF.

WHEN: May 28, 2014, 1:00 p.m. Central

WHERE: To register, please visit www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org/webinars.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Michelle Michael
VP, Marketing & Communications
312-239-6628
[email protected]

About the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation
The mission of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) is to serve as the trusted resource for the pulmonary fibrosis (PF) community by raising awareness, providing disease education, and funding research. The PFF collaborates with physicians, organizations, patients, and caregivers worldwide. PFF Summit 2015: From Bench to Bedside, the PFF's third biennial international health care conference, will be held November 12-14, 2015. For more information visit www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org or call 888.733.6741 or +1 312.587.9272 from outside of the US.

About Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a condition in which over a period of time the lung tissue becomes thickened, stiff, and scarred. The development of the scar tissue is called fibrosis. As the lung tissue becomes scarred and thicker, the lungs lose their ability to transfer oxygen into the bloodstream. As a result, the brain and other organs don't receive the oxygen they need. In some cases, doctors can determine the cause of the fibrosis, but in most cases, there is not a known cause. When there is no known etiology for the fibrosis (and certain pathologic or radiographic criteria are met), the disease is called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or IPF. IPF affects between 132,000-200,000 people in the United States (US), and between 37,000-40,000 people in the European Union (EU). The annual mortality is estimated to be 40,000 in the US, with an average survival of 2–3 years following diagnosis. There is no cure for IPF. There is presently no FDA-approved treatment for IPF in the US and limited therapeutic options available for individuals with mild-to-moderate IPF in the EU, Canada, and Asia.

SOURCE The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation