ATS 2026 Preview: 6 IPF & Fibrosis Topics to Watch
ATS 2026 (May 17-20, Orlando) preview: six IPF and progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF) topics to watch — post-Nerandomilast data, LPA1, integrin safety.
What This Preview Covers
The American Thoracic Society (ATS) International Conference is the world's largest pulmonary medicine meeting, and major pulmonary fibrosis clinical trial readouts debut here every year. Ahead of ATS 2026 (May 17-20, Orlando), this preview curates six clinical development themes to watch in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF). Specific Late-Breaking Abstract IDs and session numbers will only be released via the official ATSConference365 portal just before the meeting; this article is therefore built entirely on verifiable public sources—company press releases, peer-reviewed papers, and ClinicalTrials.gov registries.
Our approach: We do not speculate on specific abstract IDs or session numbers. Every topic below is grounded in publicly disclosed corporate communications, published trial data, or regulatory actions that are independently verifiable.
Conference Basics
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official name | ATS 2026 International Conference |
| Main meeting | May 17 (Sun) – May 20 (Wed), 2026 |
| Pre-conference | May 15 (Fri) – May 16 (Sat), 2026 |
| Venue | Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL, USA |
| Plenary speaker | Rana Awdish, MD (Henry Ford Hospital) |
| Expected content | 500+ scientific abstracts, 100+ case reports |
| Access | ATSConference365 web hub + Conference App (launches early May) |
Late-Breaking Abstract authors were notified in mid-March 2026. Accepted late-breakers will be published in the Online Abstract Issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (AJRCCM), appearing online during the conference.
For researchers tracking fibrosis & inflammation R&D
FDA approval alerts, trial readouts, preclinical model selection, and assay optimization — curated signal for bench-to-pipeline readers. 2 emails/month max.
The IPF Landscape in 2026: A Rapid Transition
On October 7, 2025, the FDA approved Nerandomilast (Jascayd®, Boehringer Ingelheim) for IPF, followed by PPF (progressive pulmonary fibrosis) approval on December 19, 2025—the first new IPF/PPF therapy in more than a decade. As a PDE4B-selective inhibitor that combines with existing antifibrotics (pirfenidone, nintedanib), Nerandomilast has fundamentally restructured the IPF/PPF standard of care (see Nerandomilast deep dive).
In parallel, United Therapeutics' TETON-2 trial (inhaled treprostinil, Tyvaso) published full results in the New England Journal of Medicine in March 2026, with an IPF sNDA expected in the second half of 2026. LPA1 antagonist Admilparant (BMS-986278) is in Phase 3 with completion targeted for October 2026, and Deupirfenidone (LYT-100, PureTech Health) enters its Phase 3 SURPASS-IPF trial in the first half of 2026. IPF therapy is moving from "slowing decline" toward combination therapy and disease modification.
ATS 2026 is the first major pulmonary meeting to capture this transition in real time. The six topics below highlight where preclinical researchers, CROs, and pipeline-focused investors should concentrate attention.
Topic 1: The "What's Next" for Nerandomilast—Real-World and Subgroup Data
Why it matters: Nerandomilast's October 2025 approval marks the first new IPF drug in over 10 years. ATS 2026 is the first large meeting after approval, so expect post-hoc analyses of FIBRONEER-IPF and FIBRONEER-ILD, safety profiles in nintedanib combination, and early discontinuation pattern analyses.
Expected presentation themes:
- GI adverse-event profile in nerandomilast + nintedanib combination arms
- Subgroup response by baseline FVC and GAP score
- Efficacy across fibrosing-ILD subtypes in FIBRONEER-ILD (PPF)
- Real-world post-marketing data from the first 6 months after approval
Preclinical implications: PDE4B inhibitor evaluation increasingly relies on therapeutic dosing protocols (start Day 7 or later) in the bleomycin model and mandatory nintedanib combination arms (see Bleomycin model pitfalls). Expanded clinical combination data from ATS 2026 will reinforce the case for multi-arm preclinical designs that mirror combination use.
Topic 2: Inhaled Treprostinil (Tyvaso) for IPF—TETON-1 Readout in Focus
Why it matters: In March 2026, United Therapeutics published the full TETON-2 results in NEJM (+95.6 mL FVC improvement vs placebo). On March 30, 2026, the parallel TETON-1 trial topline readout was announced, reporting a +130.1 mL FVC improvement with the primary endpoint met. With two consecutive positive Phase 3 trials, prostacyclin-pathway intervention in IPF is now clinically validated and the sNDA dossier is complete. ATS 2026 is expected to feature detailed subgroup analyses and extended follow-up from both trials.
Expected presentation themes:
- TETON-2 and TETON-1 post-hoc analyses (IPF progression pattern, concomitant antifibrotic stratification)
- Detailed TETON-1 topline data (subgroups, safety) following the March 30, 2026 announcement
- Inhalation device usability, compliance, and patient-reported outcomes
- Mechanistic preclinical work on prostacyclin pathway and fibroblast biology
Preclinical implications: Inhaled antifibrotics demand aerosol delivery models, regional lung pharmacokinetics, and local-concentration quantitation that differ from oral-dosing paradigms. Precision-cut lung slices (PCLS) are particularly well-suited for inhaled-candidate screening (see PCLS ex vivo evaluation).
Topic 3: LPA1 Antagonist Admilparant (BMS-986278)—Reading the Phase 3
Why it matters: Admilparant's Phase 3 (ALOFT-IPF, NCT06003426) completion is targeted for October 2026. No interim analysis has been publicly scheduled at this stage, but ATS 2026 could be a venue for trial design detail, baseline characteristics, Phase 2 subgroup analyses, and mechanistic exploratory data if presented. LPA1 (lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1) is a validated fibroblast-activation driver, and Phase 2 demonstrated meaningful FVC decline suppression (see LPA1 antagonist BMS-986278 deep dive).
Expected presentation themes:
- Admilparant Phase 3 trial design and baseline characteristics (interim efficacy/safety data if release is scheduled)
- Correlation between LPA pathway biomarkers (plasma LPA levels, LPA1 expression) and response
- Potential combination with other antifibrotic pathways (TGF-β, Wnt)
- Comparative data against earlier LPA1 programs
Preclinical implications: LPA1 evaluation pairs well with AAV-TGFβ pulmonary fibrosis models and long-bleomycin paradigms. Quantifying fibroblast activation (αSMA, Col1a1 qPCR) alongside plasma/BAL LPA measurement should be standard.
Topic 4: Deupirfenidone (LYT-100, PureTech)—Next-Generation Pirfenidone Strategy
Why it matters: Deupirfenidone (LYT-100) is a deuterated pirfenidone analog designed for extended half-life and improved tolerability. PureTech Health starts the Phase 3 SURPASS-IPF trial in H1 2026, so ATS 2026 may feature End-of-Phase-2 meeting outputs or SURPASS-IPF design detail.
Expected presentation themes:
- PK comparison: deupirfenidone 825 mg TID vs pirfenidone 801 mg TID
- SURPASS-IPF design (endpoints, entry criteria, comparator rationale)
- Switching strategies from pirfenidone-experienced patients
- GI adverse-event profile improvement
Preclinical implications: Deuterated drug development requires rigorous CYP pathway comparison in vitro (human liver microsomes, recombinant CYPs) and head-to-head preclinical efficacy studies against the parent compound.
Topic 5: The Bexotegrast Discontinuation—Class-Wide Safety Debate for Integrin Inhibitors
Why it matters: In 2025, Pliant Therapeutics discontinued BEACON-IPF, the Phase 2b/3 trial of Bexotegrast (αvβ6/αvβ1 integrin inhibitor), after the DSMB and an outside expert panel identified an imbalance in IPF-related adverse events (acute IPF exacerbation, respiratory hospitalization, all-cause mortality). Average time to disease progression in bexotegrast-treated participants was 33 weeks, suggesting the safety signal emerged only with longer dosing. ATS 2026 will likely host detailed post-discontinuation analyses and broader integrin-class safety discussions.
Expected presentation themes:
- Detailed BEACON-IPF discontinuation analyses (AE categories, timing, Kaplan-Meier curves)
- Long-term (>33 weeks) safety risk of αvβ6/αvβ1 integrin inhibition
- Implications for other integrin targets (αvβ3, αvβ5, ECM-binding domains)
- Whether integrin inhibitors remain viable in non-IPF fibrosis indications
Preclinical implications: Integrin inhibitor programs must now front-load long-duration studies (>12 weeks), evaluate off-target organ effects, infection risk, and wound healing. The Bexotegrast experience is a textbook case of on-target engagement without translational success—a cautionary template for other mechanism-first programs.
Topic 6: AI Diagnostics and Integrated IPF Biomarkers
Why it matters: IPF clinical care still struggles with early diagnosis, progression prediction, and treatment-response forecasting. ATS 2026 will likely feature multiple AI-driven imaging, blood biomarker, and genotype integration studies.
Expected presentation themes:
- AI quantification of fibrosis progression on HRCT
- Prognostic performance of serum biomarkers (KL-6, SP-D, MMP-7, ECM turnover markers)
- MUC5B polymorphism and nerandomilast response
- Digital spirometry and home FVC monitoring
- Multi-omics integration for treatment-response prediction
Preclinical implications: Translating biomarkers from preclinical to clinical requires longitudinal plasma, BAL, and tissue sampling in animal models (see IPF lung biomarkers). If ATS 2026 validates integrated biomarker panels, preclinical studies will increasingly need the same panel as a translational gold standard.
Five Takeaways for Preclinical Teams and CROs
| Takeaway | Action | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Standardize combination evaluation | Multi-arm designs with nerandomilast, nintedanib, and emerging drugs | IPF treatment landscape 2026 |
| 2. Therapeutic dosing protocol | Start dosing Day 7 or later in bleomycin for clinically relevant data | Bleomycin model pitfalls |
| 3. Translational evaluation | PCLS and iPSC-derived lung organoids for human-tissue ex vivo screening | PCLS ex vivo evaluation |
| 4. Long-term safety | Integrin inhibitors and novel MoAs require >12-week studies | Lung fibrosis model selection 2026 |
| 5. Biomarker integration | Longitudinal sampling aligned with clinical panels | IPF lung biomarkers |
How to Get the Most from ATS 2026
- Register with ATSConference365 and filter abstracts by topic
- Install the Conference App (early May) and build a personalized agenda
- Access accepted late-breakers in the AJRCCM Online Abstract Issue during the meeting
- If you cannot travel, check which sessions are available on livestream
- Monitor the Respiratory Innovation Summit (with industry sponsors including Boehringer Ingelheim, United Therapeutics, and others) for pipeline disclosures
Bottom Line: 2026 Is IPF's "Combination Therapy Year One"
ATS 2026 is the first major pulmonary meeting to convene after a decade-defining approval event. Three threads deserve the closest attention:
- Nerandomilast real-world performance (combination use, subgroups, safety)
- Next-generation candidates reaching Phase 3 (Treprostinil, Admilparant, Deupirfenidone, and others across multiple MoAs)
- Safety recalibration after Bexotegrast (integrin class and mechanism-first paradigms)
IPF has shifted from the pirfenidone-nintedanib "decline-slowing" era to a combination therapy and disease modification era anchored by nerandomilast. Preclinical research, CRO study design, and pharma development strategies will all need to re-orient around combination arms, longer-duration safety studies, and translational biomarker integration.
A recap article summarizing the key ATS 2026 announcements will be published after the meeting concludes.
Related Articles
- IPF Treatment Landscape 2026 — Comprehensive pipeline review after Nerandomilast's approval
- Nerandomilast (PDE4B Inhibitor) Deep Dive — Mechanism, FIBRONEER data, and preclinical implications
- LPA1 Antagonist BMS-986278 (Admilparant) — Clinical development and molecular basis
- IPF vs PPF: Classification and Treatment Strategy — Understanding the disease spectrum targeted by FIBRONEER-ILD
- Lung Fibrosis Animal Model Selection Guide 2026 — Bleomycin, silica, and aged-mouse models
- PCLS (Precision-Cut Lung Slices) for Ex Vivo Fibrosis — Human-tissue-based translational evaluation
- IPF Lung Biomarkers — KL-6, SP-D, MMP-7, and their preclinical counterparts
References & Primary Sources
- ATS 2026 International Conference official website. https://conference.thoracic.org/
- American Thoracic Society Conference Program. https://site.thoracic.org/conference
- Richeldi L, et al. FIBRONEER-IPF: A phase 3 trial of nerandomilast in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. N Engl J Med. 2025.
- United Therapeutics Corporation. TETON-2 Phase 3 Results Published in NEJM. March 2026 Press Release.
- Boehringer Ingelheim. FIBRONEER Phase 3 Trials Program. https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/human-health/lung-diseases/pulmonary-fibrosis/fibroneer-ph3-trials-patients-ipf-other-pf-ilds
- Pliant Therapeutics. BEACON-IPF Trial Update. Investor Relations Release, 2025.
- FDA News Release. FDA approves Jascayd (nerandomilast) for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. October 7, 2025.
- Raghu G, et al. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (an Update) and Progressive Pulmonary Fibrosis in Adults: An Official ATS/ERS/JRS/ALAT Clinical Practice Guideline. PubMed: 35486072.
Disclosure: This preview is compiled exclusively from public sources (ATS official website, company press releases, peer-reviewed publications, ClinicalTrials.gov). We have no financial or contractual relationship with any company mentioned. Session numbers and abstract IDs will be added or corrected once the official program is released.