Bristol Myers Squibb’s experimental drug admilparant has shown promise in a late-stage clinical trial involving people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a progressive lung disease that causes irreversible scarring and gradually worsens breathlessness.The pharmaceutical company announced on October 12 that the lower dose of the drug significantly slowed the decline in lung function compared to a placebo over 52 weeks. However, the higher dose did not meet the trial’s primary goal, raising questions about the treatment’s effects subject to dosage.The Phase 3 ALOFT-IPF trial enrolled 1,255 patients and evaluated two doses of admilparant, 60 mg and 120 mg, taken twice daily. The study compared both doses with a placebo. Its primary goal was measuring changes in forced vital capacity (FVC) from the start of treatment to Week 52.FVC measures the amount of air a person can forcefully exhale after taking a deep breath. A decline in this measure can indicate worsening lung function.According to Bristol Myers Squibb, the 60 mg dose demonstrated a statistically significant benefit over placebo. The 120 mg dose also slowed the decline in lung function, but the difference did not reach statistical significance.The company said the drug was generally well tolerated at both doses. Also, the treatment discontinuation due to adverse events remained low compared to placebo. Detailed trial results are yet to be presented.What Is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis?Also read: Can Delhi’s Air Pollution Increase GI Cancer Risk? Doctors Report Patients As Young As 15IPF is a chronic lung disease in which lung tissue becomes progressively scarred and stiff. As the scarring advances, the lungs become less efficient at transferring oxygen into the bloodstream, making everyday activities increasingly difficult.The disease is described as idiopathic because its precise cause is unknown. Symptoms commonly include persistent breathlessness, a dry cough and fatigue. The condition can progress unpredictably, and the damage caused by fibrosis is generally irreversible.Existing antifibrotic treatments can slow the loss of lung function, but they do not eliminate established scarring or cure the disease. This leaves a need for additional treatments that can delay progression.About Admilparant Admilparant, also known as BMS-986278, is an oral drug designed to block the lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 (LPA1).The LPA1 signalling pathway is involved in processes linked to pulmonary fibrosis, including inflammation, tissue injury and the activation of cells that produce scar tissue. By blocking this receptor, admilparant is intended to interfere with mechanisms that contribute to the progression of lung scarring.The drug is being investigated as a first-in-class treatment that uses this approach in people with IPF and progressive pulmonary fibrosis.“IPF remains one of the most complex and challenging lung diseases to treat, with unpredictable progression, irreversible scarring and a profound impact on patients’ daily lives,” said Fernando Martinez, chair of the ALOFT programme’s clinical steering committee and a professor of medicine at UMass Chan Medical School.“These admilparant results represent an important advancement as there remains a need for therapies that are both effective and tolerable for patients living with IPF,” he added.Bristol Myers Squibb said it would complete a comprehensive evaluation of the trial data and deal with regulatory authorities for submissions. The detailed findings are expected to be presented at a future meeting.