Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a long-term lung condition with progressive airflow limitation that makes breathing increasingly difficult. It includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema phenotypes and is strongly linked to smoking and environmental exposures.
A Chest study finds that respiratory or red flag symptoms at baseline increase the likelihood of lung cancer diagnosis within one year after screening. A Nature study identifies glucocorticoid-related genes with causal links to non-small cell lung cancer and constructs a multi-omics prognostic model.
AstraZeneca is expanding in China with a $200m upfront COPD drug license from Sino Biopharmaceutical, a $1.5bn licensing deal for Dizal's Zegfrovy, and a $15bn manufacturing and R&D investment. The deals add revenue-generating assets to its respiratory and oncology portfolios.
Merck & Co. is bolstering its oncology pipeline with acquisitions like Terns Pharmaceuticals and Cidara Therapeutics, while Keytruda remains the key growth driver. It expects Keytruda peak sales of $35 billion by 2028 and aims to launch 20 new drugs by 2030.
FDA approved AstraZeneca's Breztri Aerosphere for asthma; EU CHMP recommended Trixeo. Phase 3 KALOS/LOGOS trials showed improved lung function and reduced severe exacerbations versus dual therapy.
Recent market reports forecast significant growth in the progressive pulmonary fibrosis market, set to reach $2.7 billion by 2035, and the global asthma and COPD drugs market, projected to hit US$ 82.2 billion by 2036. The Asia Pacific pharma 4.0 market is also expanding rapidly, driven by digital technologies like AI and IoT.
Altesa BioSciences reported positive Phase 2a challenge study results for vapendavir, an oral rhinovirus capsid inhibitor, showing reduced viral load and inflammation in COPD patients infected with rhinovirus. The data support vapendavir's potential to prevent rhinovirus-driven COPD exacerbations, and the company has initiated a Phase 2b CARDINAL trial to further evaluate the treatment.
FDA approves MannKind's Afrezza inhaled insulin for children aged 6+ with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Separately, an updated label provides new starting dose guidance for adults switching from injections or insulin pumps.
The FDA extended the review deadline for AstraZeneca's camizestrant and issued a complete response letter for its COPD drug PT010. The agency also adopted a single-pivotal-trial approval policy, while AstraZeneca sold Losec rights to Cheplapharm.
Apogee Therapeutics will present Phase 2 APEX Part B data for zumilokibart on May 27, 2026. Affinity Asset Advisors increased its stake to 1.23 million shares valued at $93.21 million. The stock rose 86.9% over the past year.
FDA approves AstraZeneca's Breztri Aerosphere as the first single-inhaler triple therapy for asthma in patients aged 12+, based on Phase III KALOS and LOGOS trials showing improved lung function and reduced exacerbations versus dual therapy.
| NCT ID | Title | Status | Phase |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCT07786220 |
Cognitive Load and Inhaler Technique in COPD |
RECRUITING | NA |
| NCT07777497 |
Respiratory Therapist-Supported Home Noninvasive Ventilation in Stable Severe COPD Without Hypercapnia |
COMPLETED | NA |
| NCT07750821 |
Balance Training Following Pulmonary Rehabilitation on Balance in People With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) |
RECRUITING | NA |
| NCT07747805 |
GLP-1 Agonists for Lung Function Improvement and Muscle Restoration in COPD |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | PHASE2 |
| NCT07708337 |
Evaluating Customized Antibiotic Duration (CDA) Strategy in Acute Exacerbations of COPD |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | NA |
| NCT07707271 |
Continuous Versus High Intensity Interval Exercise in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease |
RECRUITING | NA |
| NCT07707245 |
Identification of Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers in the Pathological Continuum of Bronco Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and Pulmonary Neoplasia |
RECRUITING | NA |
| NCT07702994 |
Effects of Adapted Snacktivity™ Intervention on Cognition and Self-Care in COPD Patients |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | NA |
| NCT07686302 |
Feasibility of Noninvasive Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation During Exercise |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | NA |
| NCT07684391 |
Effect of Oral Astaxanthin Formula on Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Patients With COPD |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | NA |
