ICYMI: Highlights From ATS 2025

The most‑read articles from our American Thoracic Society (ATS) International Conference coverage reflect both scientific advances in pulmonary medicine and the broader societal determinants affecting respiratory health.

On the clinical front, new therapeutic insights included novel agents slowing lung function decline in fibrotic lung disease and targeted biologics aiming to reduce chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations. Alongside clinical breakthroughs, ATS 2025 spotlighted homelessness as a powerful health crisis, urging systemic reforms that bridge housing and health care.

Together, these pieces highlight advances and unmet needs in therapeutics, patient‑centered care, health equity, and quality of life.

Here are the top 5 articles from ATS 2025.

5. FIBRONEER-ILD: Novel PDE4B Inhibitor Slows FVC Decline in Progressive Pulmonary Fibrosis

The phase 3 FIBRONEER‑ILD (NCT05321082) trial demonstrated that nerandomilast (Jascayd; Boehringer Ingelheim) significantly slowed forced vital capacity (FVC) decline in patients with progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF), regardless of background antifibrotic therapy. Both 18-mg and 9-mg doses yielded smaller mean FVC drops than placebo over 1 year, with statistically significant differences, and also suggested fewer acute exacerbations and respiratory‑related hospitalizations. Importantly, mortality was reduced in the nerandomilast arms. Although some secondary outcomes didn’t reach significance, the oral PDE4B inhibitor’s tolerability and potential to be combined with current therapies mark it as an exciting new option across a broader range of fibrotic lung diseases.

Read the article here.

4. Managing Pediatric Pulmonary Care From Preterm Birth to Symptom Recovery

ATS 2025 pediatric research highlighted diverse efforts to improve long‑term pulmonary health in children. The BREATHE study (NCT06283953) tested in‑home HEPA filters for infants recovering from bronchiolitis, showing a modest but statistically nonsignificant increase in symptom‑free days. Cardiac MRI research in school‑aged children born preterm revealed altered cardiac performance and signs of right ventricular hypertension, pointing to the importance of lifelong cardiopulmonary monitoring in this at‑risk group. Additionally, a quality improvement initiative fostered greater independent rounding autonomy for senior pediatric fellows, enhancing confidence and communication—key elements of pediatric care training. Together, these findings span environmental, developmental, and educational aspects of pediatric pulmonary management.

Read the article here.

3. Mepolizumab Reduces COPD Exacerbations in Patients With Eosinophilic Inflammation

New data from the COPD‑HELP (NCT04075331) and MATINEE (NCT04133909) studies at ATS 2025 explored the role of mepolizumab (Nucala; GlaxoSmithKline) in treating eosinophilic COPD. While the COPD‑HELP trial did not meet its primary end point of delaying readmission or death, trends favored fewer hospital readmissions and moderate/severe exacerbations with mepolizumab. In the larger MATINEE trial, post hoc analysis showed that patients with long‑standing COPD (≥9 years since diagnosis) experienced a 24% reduction in exacerbation rate with mepolizumab added to standard inhaler therapy. Quality‑of‑life measures also trended better with the IL‑5 inhibitor, especially over longer treatment durations, underscoring the potential of biomarker‑guided therapy in select COPD subgroups.

Read the article here.

2. Homelessness Is a Health Crisis: The Urgent Need for Housing and Care Reform

In a keynote session at ATS 2025, experts reframed homelessness as a critical public health crisis requiring integrated housing and health care solutions. Structural drivers—such as the shortage of affordable housing and income inequality—predispose individuals to poor health, while homelessness itself exacerbates acute and chronic disease, leading to higher emergency department and hospital use and significantly elevated mortality. Presenters stressed that clinicians must partner with housing systems and adopt empathy, patience, and advocacy to rebuild trust for those with lived experience. Policy innovations, like California’s Medi‑Cal–funded rent programs and expanded interim housing, offer models for embedding housing into health strategy.

Read the interview here.

1. Nerandomilast Slows Lung Function Decline in Patients With IPF

Nerandomilast, an oral PDE4B inhibitor, meaningfully slowed the rate of lung function decline in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), according to phase 3 FIBRONEER‑IPF (NCT05321069) data presented at ATS 2025 and published in the New England Journal of Medicine. In the trial of 1177 patients, twice‑daily nerandomilast at 18 mg significantly reduced the adjusted mean decline in FVC over 52 weeks compared with placebo, even in those already on standard antifibrotic therapy. The 9-mg dose also provided benefit, though to a lesser extent. Safety was manageable, with diarrhea being the most common adverse event. Researchers highlighted the unmet need for additional IPF therapies and the promise of nerandomilast to complement existing options.

Read the article here.