Respiratory Today—July 3, 2026

This week’s Respiratory Research update highlights regulatory progress, advancing clinical studies, investment activity, manufacturing developments, and evolving care infrastructure across multiple respiratory diseases.

In Today’s Newsletter

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🫁 EMBARC, Insmed plan brensocatib bronchiectasis study [1] [EU • 25 Jun 2026]

https://www.bronchiectasis.net/embarc-announces-its-intention-to-collaborate-with-insmed-on-landmark-interventional-study-evaluating-disease-modification-potential-of-brensocatib-in-bronchiectasis/
Context: Planned enrollment is up to 3,000 patients across the UK, Spain, Germany, Belgium, France, and Italy.
Key point: EMBARC announced intent to collaborate with Insmed on a three-year, open-label brensocatib study in bronchiectasis.
Implication: May influence prescriber choice and payer reviews pending full data.

🛡️ Leyden Labs raises €40 million for respiratory-virus protection [2] [NL • 25 Jun 2026]

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260624974092/en/Globally-Recognized-Impact-Investors-Back-Leyden-Labs-Mission-to-Transform-Protection-Against-Respiratory-Viruses-with-%E2%82%AC40-Million-Investment
Context: The company is developing broadly protective nasal sprays for influenza, coronaviruses, and other respiratory viruses.
Key point: Leyden Labs announced a €40 million investment from EIC Fund, Invest-NL, Gates Foundation, ClavystBio, and others.
Implication: Signals pipeline investment and modality expansion.

💉 Grifols starts Phase 3 SWIFT-SC in AAT deficiency [3] [ES • 29 Jun 2026]

https://www.grifols.com/en/view-news/-/news/grifols-doses-first-participant-in-phase-3-study-evaluating-novel-subcutaneous-therapy-for-alpha1-antitrypsin-deficiency
Context: SWIFT-SC is an open-label, multicenter, randomized non-inferiority pharmacokinetic and safety study.
Key point: Grifols dosed the first participant in SWIFT-SC, a Phase 3 study of subcutaneous Alpha1-PI for AAT deficiency.
Implication: May influence prescriber choice and payer reviews pending full data.

🫁 United Therapeutics wins FDA approval for LungFX EVLP device [4] [US • 29 Jun 2026]

https://ir.unither.com/press-releases/2026/06-29-2026-113020795
Context: LungFX is indicated for deceased-donor lungs that cannot be placed using direct-to-recipient procedures.
Key point: FDA granted PMA approval for LungFX, a centralized ex vivo lung perfusion device for donor-lung evaluation.
Implication: May expand screening, initiation, and follow-up at scale.

🌬️ SC Therapeutics starts REACH2 in refractory chronic cough [5] [UK • 30 Jun 2026]

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260630438611/en/SC-Therapeutics-Initiates-REACH2-Trial-for-Refractory-Chronic-Cough
Context: REACH2 is randomized and placebo-controlled, with three weeks of treatment and four weeks of follow-up.
Key point: SC Therapeutics initiated REACH2, a Phase 2 trial of SC0032 in refractory chronic cough.
Implication: May influence prescriber choice and payer reviews pending full data.

🧬 Contineum publishes PIPE-791 discovery data [6] [US • 30 Jun 2026]

https://ir.contineum-tx.com/news-releases/news-release-details/contineum-therapeutics-publishes-discovery-potential-best-class
Context: PIPE-791 is in a global Phase 2 trial for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and is also in development for chronic pain.
Key point: Contineum published discovery and characterization data for PIPE-791, an oral LPAR1 antagonist.
Implication: Signals pipeline investment and modality expansion.

🧫 ModeX COVID-19 antibody enters Phase 1 with ProBioGen support [7] [DE • 30 Jun 2026]

https://www.probiogen.de/press-releases/modex-covid-19-antibody-enters-phase-1-developed-on-probiogens-transposase-technology
Context: ProBioGen developed the production cell line using CHO.RiGHT and DirectedLuck Transposase Technology.
Key point: ProBioGen said ModeX’s MDX2301 COVID-19 antibody advanced into Phase 1 clinical development.
Implication: Signals pipeline investment and modality expansion.

🏥 UNC pulmonary hypertension program earns PHA reaccreditation [8] [US • 01 Jul 2026]

https://www.med.unc.edu/medicine/news/unc-pulmonary-hypertension-program-earns-reaccreditation-marking-13-consecutive-years-as-comprehensive-care-center/
Context: The program has held PHA Comprehensive Care Center status for 13 consecutive years.
Key point: UNC Pulmonary Hypertension Program was reaccredited by the Pulmonary Hypertension Association through 2028.
Implication: May expand screening, initiation, and follow-up at scale.

Why it matters

Respiratory pipelines are moving across mechanisms, including DPP-1 inhibition, LPAR1 antagonism, aerosolized ion therapy, and multispecific antibodies.
Several items focus on access and delivery, including subcutaneous Alpha1-PI, nasal sprays, centralized EVLP, and accredited PH care.
Bronchiectasis, AAT deficiency, IPF, chronic cough, COVID-19, and PAH remain active areas for clinical development and care infrastructure.
Funding and manufacturing milestones show continued investment in respiratory-virus preparedness and complex biologics production.
Regulatory and trial updates may shape future clinical workflows, pending full data, labeling, and real-world implementation.

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FAQ

What are EMBARC and Insmed studying with brensocatib?

EMBARC and Insmed plan a three-year, open-label European study of brensocatib 25 mg in bronchiectasis. The study is intended to assess long-term use and disease-modification potential. [1]

What is Leyden Labs developing for respiratory viruses?

Leyden Labs is developing broadly protective nasal sprays designed to deliver antibodies at the respiratory mucosa. The company says the programs target influenza, coronaviruses, and other respiratory viruses. [2]

What is different about Grifols’ SWIFT-SC study?

SWIFT-SC evaluates a weekly subcutaneous Alpha1-PI formulation for AAT deficiency. It compares subcutaneous dosing with standard intravenous Alpha1-PI doses using pharmacokinetic and safety endpoints. [3]

What is LungFX from United Therapeutics?

LungFX is an FDA-approved centralized EVLP device for evaluating deceased-donor lungs outside the body before transplant. The labeling includes warnings and notes uncertainty around longer-term outcomes. [4]

What is SC Therapeutics testing in REACH2?

SC Therapeutics is testing SC0032 in patients with refractory chronic cough. REACH2 includes continuous objective cough monitoring and post-treatment follow-up to assess durability. [5]

What is PIPE-791 from Contineum?

PIPE-791 is an oral LPAR1 antagonist described in a Journal of Medicinal Chemistry publication. It is in a global Phase 2 trial for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. [6]

Entities / Keywords

EMBARC, European Multicentre Bronchiectasis Audit and Research Collaboration
Insmed, brensocatib, DPP-1 inhibitor, bronchiectasis, ASPEN
Leyden Labs, Leyden Laboratories, Mucosal Protection Platform, nasal sprays, respiratory viruses
Grifols, SWIFT-SC, Alpha1-PI, Alpha1-Proteinase Inhibitor, alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency, AAT deficiency
United Therapeutics, Lung Bioengineering, LungFX, ex vivo lung perfusion, EVLP, donor lungs, transplant
SC Therapeutics, SC0032, REACH2, refractory chronic cough, RCC, mechano-sensitive ion channels, MSCs
Contineum Therapeutics, PIPE-791, LPAR1 antagonist, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, IPF
ModeX Therapeutics, OPKO Health, MDX2301, COVID-19 antibody, ProBioGen, CHO.RiGHT, DirectedLuck
UNC Pulmonary Hypertension Program, Pulmonary Hypertension Association, PHA Comprehensive Care Center, PAH