Respiratory Today—January 23, 2026

This update highlights significant advancements in clinical trials, regulatory actions, and innovations within the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors. Key developments span novel treatments, approvals, and strategic partnerships shaping the future of medical care.

In Today’s Newsletter

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🧪 DOD-funded Study Tests Metformin for IPF [1] [US • 15 Jan 2026]

https://www.managedhealthcareexecutive.com/view/dod-funded-study-explores-metformin-as-potential-therapy-for-ipf
Context: Department of Defense funds a clinical study repurposing metformin for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). \
Key point: Study aims to repurpose a diabetes drug for IPF treatment, involving 800 patients across multiple centers.
Implication: Could offer an affordable, widely available treatment option for IPF if proven effective.

📄 Expert Consensus Recommends PAPZIMEOS for RRP [2] [20 Jan 2026]

https://investors.precigen.com/news-releases/news-release-details/new-expert-consensus-published-laryngoscope-recommends-papzimeos
Context: A new expert consensus published in The Laryngoscope recommends PAPZIMEOS (zopapogene imadenovec) as the first-line therapy for adults with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP).
Key point: The consensus paper reflects a significant shift from surgical interventions to immunotherapy for RRP.
Implication: Could redefine RRP treatment standards and reduce dependence on surgery.

🧪 Orphai’s LAM-001 Phase 2a Oral Presentation at ATS [3] [20 Jan 2026]

https://www.orphai-therapeutics.com/news/orphai-therapeutics-phase-2a-lam-001-study-selected-for-oral-presentation-at-the-american-thoracic-society-ats-2026-international-conference
Context: Orphai announces its Phase 2a study of LAM-001 for pulmonary hypertension will be presented at ATS 2026.
Key point: LAM-001, a sirolimus inhalation therapy, is being tested as an add-on treatment for pulmonary hypertension.
Implication: Oral presentation could provide insights into its potential role in treating pulmonary hypertension.

🧠 Brainomix AI Imaging in Boehringer Ingelheim Trial [4] [20 Jan 2026]

https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/brainomix-e-lung-ai-imaging-technology-selected-as-co-primary-endpoint-in-boehringer-ingelheim-phase-3-clinical-trial-in-pulmonary-fibrosis-302664601.html
Context: Brainomix’s e-Lung AI technology will be used as a co-primary endpoint in Boehringer Ingelheim’s Phase 3 trial.
Key point: The AI software will quantify lung fibrosis in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) using high-resolution CT scans.
Implication: Could advance the use of AI in clinical trials, improving precision in disease measurement.

💉 EMA Grants Orphan Designation to Rein’s LTI-03 for IPF [5] [Europe • 20 Jan 2026]

https://ir.reintx.com/news-releases/news-release-details/rein-therapeutics-receives-orphan-drug-designation-european
Context: Rein’s LTI-03 receives orphan drug designation from the EMA for treating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).
Key point: LTI-03 targets fibrosis through dual mechanisms, showing promise in preclinical studies.
Implication: Potential to accelerate development and bring a new therapeutic option to market.

🦠 Invivyd to Begin Phase 2 Study of VYD2311 for Long COVID [6] [20 Jan 2026]

https://investors.invivyd.com/news-releases/news-release-details/invivyd-and-spear-study-group-announce-plan-phase-2-study
Context: Invivyd partners with the SPEAR Study Group to evaluate VYD2311 in people with Long COVID or COVID vaccine injury.
Key point: The Phase 2 trial will assess the safety and efficacy of VYD2311 in treating lingering symptoms of COVID-related conditions.
Implication: Could offer new hope for millions suffering from chronic COVID symptoms.

🔬 Polarean Expands Xenon MRI to Cardiopulmonary Studies [7] [20 Jan 2026]

https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/polarean-expands-xenon-mri-platform-into-cardiopulmonary-drug-development-with-multi-center-ph-ild-study-1035727417
Context: Polarean announces a multi-center U.S. study using Xenon MRI to assess an inhaled therapy for pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease.
Key point: Xenon MRI provides a non-invasive, radiation-free method to assess lung function at the microvascular level.
Implication: Could revolutionize cardiopulmonary drug development with more sensitive biomarkers.

💸 Rising Respiratory Drug Sales in Gujarat Due to Pollution [8] [India • 21 Jan 2026]

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/pollution-delivers-double-digit-boost-to-respiratory-drug-sales/articleshow/126850971.cms?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Context: Air pollution in Gujarat has caused a surge in respiratory illness cases, driving up sales of respiratory drugs.
Key point: Anti-asthma, COPD therapies, and antibiotics have seen substantial growth, with a significant increase in the number of patients requiring nebulizers and inhalers.
Implication: The rise in pollution-related respiratory conditions is creating sustained demand for treatments.

📊 AI ECG Analysis for Early COPD Detection [9] [20 Jan 2026]

https://www.thecardiologyadvisor.com/news/ai-powered-ecg-analysis-promising-for-early-detection-of-copd/
Context: AI-based analysis of electrocardiograms shows promise in detecting COPD at an earlier stage.
Key point: The deep learning model demonstrated robust performance with an AUC of 0.80 across diverse patient populations.
Implication: Could become a low-cost, widely available tool for early COPD detection, improving outcomes through earlier intervention.

Why it matters

Metformin repurposing could offer an affordable and accessible treatment for IPF if successful in clinical trials [1].
PAPZIMEOS could reshape the treatment landscape for recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP), reducing reliance on surgery [2].
LAM-001 and Brainomix’s AI technology offer innovative solutions in pulmonary hypertension and fibrosis, paving the way for more effective clinical trials and treatments [3][4].
Invivyd’s VYD2311 trial could provide a breakthrough therapy for Long COVID patients, addressing a significant unmet need [6].
Polarean’s Xenon MRI is set to revolutionize how pulmonary diseases are assessed in clinical trials, offering more sensitive, non-invasive tools for drug development [7].
Rising respiratory drug sales in Gujarat highlight the ongoing impact of pollution on respiratory health, creating a market opportunity for respiratory treatments [8].

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FAQ

What did the DOD-funded metformin study newly show for IPF?

The study launched a large, multi-center clinical trial screening 800 patients to evaluate whether metformin can be repurposed as a disease-modifying therapy for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, aiming to validate preclinical anti-fibrotic signals in a real-world population [1].

What is novel about PAPZIMEOS for RRP?

PAPZIMEOS was recommended as first-line therapy in a new expert consensus, marking a shift from surgery to immunotherapy for recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, and positioning it as a potential new standard of care in adults [2].

What differentiates Orphai’s LAM-001?

LAM-001 is an inhaled sirolimus therapy being tested as an add-on treatment for pulmonary hypertension, with its Phase 2a study selected for oral presentation at ATS 2026, signaling growing clinical and scientific interest [3].

What is unique about Brainomix’s AI imaging platform?

Brainomix’s e-Lung technology was selected as a co-primary endpoint in a Phase 3 pulmonary fibrosis trial, enabling automated, quantitative assessment of lung fibrosis using high-resolution CT scans [4].

What is significant about Rein’s LTI-03 designation?

LTI-03 received EMA orphan drug designation for IPF, potentially accelerating regulatory pathways and supporting the development of a novel anti-fibrotic therapy with dual mechanisms of action [5].

What is Invivyd aiming to demonstrate with VYD2311?

Invivyd is initiating a Phase 2 study to assess whether VYD2311 can safely and effectively treat Long COVID and COVID vaccine injury, addressing a major unmet need in chronic post-viral conditions [6].

How is Polarean’s Xenon MRI changing pulmonary trials?

Polarean’s Xenon MRI platform provides non-invasive, radiation-free biomarkers to assess lung microvascular function, enabling more sensitive evaluation of inhaled therapies in pulmonary hypertension and ILD [7].

What did AI ECG analysis reveal for COPD detection?

AI-powered ECG analysis demonstrated robust performance with an AUC of 0.80 for early COPD detection, suggesting a scalable, low-cost screening tool across diverse populations [9].

Entities / Keywords

Department of Defense (DOD), metformin, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), Precigen, PAPZIMEOS, recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP), Orphai Therapeutics, LAM-001, pulmonary hypertension, Brainomix, AI imaging, pulmonary fibrosis, Rein Therapeutics, LTI-03, Invivyd, VYD2311, Long COVID, Polarean, Xenon MRI, respiratory drug sales, AI ECG, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).