In a significant advancement for pulmonary fibrosis research, Qureight Ltd and Avalyn Pharma Inc have announced a strategic partnership that introduces artificial intelligence-powered imaging analysis to clinical trials in progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF). The collaboration centers on the MIST study, a phase 2b clinical trial evaluating AP01, an innovative inhaled formulation of pirfenidone.
Novel Technology Integration in Clinical Assessment
The partnership represents a pioneering step in PPF clinical research, marking the first implementation of deep-learning imaging technologies in treatment evaluation. Qureight's Core Imaging Platform will be utilized to assess clinical outcome measures in the MIST study, with plans to expand its application across multiple Avalyn studies.
Howard M Lazarus, Chief Medical Officer of Avalyn, emphasized the strategic importance of this technological integration: "Given the complex nature of PPF, we've made it a priority to leverage cutting-edge technology to measure treatment response in our ongoing MIST study. This collaboration with Qureight will allow us to measure changes in fibrosis volume more sensitively."
Addressing Critical Unmet Needs in PPF Treatment
Progressive pulmonary fibrosis presents a significant medical challenge, characterized by progressive scarring of lung tissue that leads to deteriorating symptoms and poor prognosis. While current oral antifibrotic therapies can slow disease progression, their effectiveness is limited by significant side effects that restrict dosing and duration of use.
AP01, Avalyn's lead program, takes an innovative approach by delivering pirfenidone directly to the lungs through inhalation. This targeted delivery method aims to enhance therapeutic efficacy while minimizing systemic exposure and associated side effects that typically limit traditional oral treatments.
Advanced Imaging Platform for Enhanced Disease Monitoring
Qureight's platform technology establishes crucial links between imaging data and clinical endpoints, addressing a fundamental challenge in PPF research where diagnosis, monitoring, and clinical development often involve complex, fragmented data sets.
Dr. Muhunthan Thillai, CEO of Qureight and practicing lung disease specialist, shared his perspective: "As a lung disease doctor, I'm excited about the future of inhaled therapies in treating progressive fibrotic lung diseases. Partnering with Avalyn on the MIST study is an important opportunity to see our Core Imaging Platform used to support PPF patients."
Future Implications and Data Analysis
The collaboration between Qureight and Avalyn is expected to yield additional insights, with plans to present promising data analyses using Qureight's technology at upcoming medical conferences. This partnership could potentially establish new standards for clinical trial assessment in pulmonary fibrosis, combining advanced imaging technology with innovative drug delivery methods.
