Medical News
September 7, 2016 - Phase 2 results for PA101 show 30% decrease for IPF patients with Refractory Chronic Cough
Refractory = stubborn or unmanageable
Chronic = lasting 3 months or more
Cough = A rapid expulsion of air from the lungs, typically in order to clear the lung airways of fluids, mucus, or other material. Also known as tussis.
In addition to the PF/IPF itself, certain conditions such as asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease, obstructive sleep apnea, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor use, eosinophilic bronchitis, and rhinosinusitis may cause chronic refractory cough. Research is finally turning its attention to symptom management as Quality of Life (QOL) and well as life expectancy. Cough in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
The Treatment of Refractory Chronic Cough With PA101 (NCT02412020), a clinical trial for IPF that was done at sites in the UK and Netherlands was completed and results released by the trial sponsor Patara Pharma. The Phase 2 study was with 24 adult IPF patients daytime average cough count ≥15 per hour at screening.
Presented at the recent European Respiratory Society International Congress in London, the findings showed that treatment with PA101 reduced frequency of daytime cough by 30 percent with no major side effects and reported to be well-tolerated. The company plans a Phase 2b study to determine the optimal dosage.
PA101 (sodium cromoglicate) is a late-stage immune modulator with mast cell stabilizing properties that is delivered directly to the lungs via the company’s proprietary investigational PARI eFlow nebulizer system.
An investigational drug generally requires a successful Phase 3 trial before an application is made to approve the drug. Once approved the drug can be used for clinical application. In the meantime, CPFF continues to follow emerging research.
September 14, 2015 - Striking gold in delivering drugs for injured lungs
August 28, 2015 - New U of T-designed Microchip Predicts Viability of Donor Lungs
July 31, 2015 - HeadStart™ Patient Assistance Program now available for OFEV™ patients
July 16, 2015 – Treatment of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Latin American Thoracic Association guideline on idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis treatment. Read the complete executive summary.
September 3, 2014 – CPFF News Release: Ontario to fund Esbriet
Go to News regarding Esbriet to read about the Ontario criteria and to keep informed about announcements for other provinces and territories.
July 17, 2014 - FDA grants Breakthrough Therapy Designation for 2 IPF drugs
Medical Conference Updates
ERS 2014 (European Respiratory Society Annual Congress)
When should IPF treatment be initiated
ICLAF 2014 (International Colloquium on Lung and Airway Fibrosis)
ICLAF 2014 Brings Hope to IPF patients worldwide
Extremely excited, enthusiastic and hopeful would be the best way to describe our anticipation for the 18th International Colloquium on Lung and Airway Fibrosis (ICLAF) held in Mont Tremblant, Quebec this past September 20 – 24, 2014….. And, we weren’t disappointed.
It was a privilege to be among these world leading scientists and clinicians committed to enhancing and improving research in fibrosis and to improve care of patients with IPF.
ICLAF was established in 1980, and according to the meeting program, 2014 is one of the most exciting years ever for the IPF community and the patients. We have seen the results and impact of several crucial Phase 3 trials in May, which will hopefully result in 
worldwide approval and access to desperately needed IPF drugs sooner than later. While these drugs do not cure the disease they do slow it down giving patients more time for other treatments to come along and, eventually, a cure. ICLAF brings together international leaders, scientists, clinicians, fellows, students and patient advocates in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
This was the first ICLAF event to include patient groups. We made submissions to the attendees and I was pleased to see that our presentation was very well received. These scientists are listening to us.
This year’s meeting brought together 350 attendees from 19 countries presenting and defending 130 abstracts (research papers) in both basic and clinical science; it was the largest ICLAF ever. The meeting program alone was an incredible 167 pages.
What does this mean for people living with IPF and their caregivers? It means HOPE, hope that these great scientific minds who have turned their attention to our horrendous disease are working together to better understand the 
disease and to create more innovative solutions to treat IPF! Watch the CPFF website for regular updates about treatments and clinical trial updates.
When you see these people gathering together and collaborating as they did you KNOW they will find a cure.
For our part, the CPFF is a proud Silver sponsor of ICLAF 2014 following our initial sponsorship of ICLAF 2012. We were able to set up our booth, meet scientists and peers 
from around the world, share our educational materials and information about our campaigns to help those assembled find ways 
to promote awareness in their countries. Best of all we spoke to them at length about who we are as patients.
Our most recent campaign, Kiss IPF
Goodbye (#kissIPFgoodbye) generated a tremendous amount of excitement. Currently, we are in discussion with other countries about making #kissIPFgoodbye a global campaign –stay tuned!!!
Robert Davidson
ATS 2014 (American Thoracic Society International Conference)
Ask A Doc Clinical Trial Update Webinar – Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation
Development of IPF drugs – slow process fraught with failures
Developing future IPF therapies