Open IPF Clinical Trials in 2026: A Complete Guide

Clinical trials are the primary pathway for new IPF treatments to reach patients. As of mid-2026, over 140 clinical trials related to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis are tracked by PF-Atlas. This guide covers the most promising active trials, how to find trials that match a specific patient profile, and what to expect when participating.

Most Promising Active Trials

Several trials stand out in 2026 based on mechanism novelty, early-phase results, and the strength of the sponsoring institution.

BI 1015550 (Nerandomilast) Extension Studies

Following the FDA approval in October 2025, extension studies are evaluating long-term safety and efficacy of nerandomilast. These trials are relevant for patients already on nintedanib or pirfenidone who want to switch or add nerandomilast to their regimen.

Inhaled Therapies

Several companies are developing inhaled anti-fibrotic agents that deliver drug directly to the lungs, potentially reducing systemic side effects. These include inhaled pirfenidone formulations and novel small molecules targeting alveolar epithelial repair. Inhaled delivery could be a significant improvement over oral dosing for patients who struggle with GI side effects.

Cell Therapy and Regenerative Approaches

Early-phase trials are testing mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) infusions, AEC2 cell transplantation, and exosome-based therapies. These approaches aim not just to slow fibrosis but to actively repair damaged lung tissue. Most are in Phase 1 or Phase 2, meaning they are years from potential approval, but the biological rationale is strong.

Combination Trials

An increasing number of trials are testing drug combinations rather than single agents. These include nintedanib + nerandomilast, pirfenidone + anti-CTGF agents, and triple combinations. PF-Atlas provides mechanism-tagged listings of all combination trials.

Senolytic Therapies

Senolytics selectively clear senescent cells, which accumulate in fibrotic lungs and drive inflammation. Dasatinib + quercetin and fisetin are being tested in early-phase IPF trials. PF-Atlas models senescence clearance as one of its 12 cell-type parameters.

How to Find Trials Matching Your Profile

Most clinical trials have specific eligibility criteria based on age, FVC level, current medications, disease duration, and comorbidities. Finding a matching trial manually on ClinicalTrials.gov can be time-consuming.

PF-Atlas includes a Trial Matcher feature. After entering basic medical data (age, current FVC, current medications, country), the system filters the 140+ tracked trials to show only those for which the patient is likely eligible. Results include direct links to the trial registration page and sponsoring institution contact information.

What to Expect in a Clinical Trial

IPF clinical trials typically last 52 to 104 weeks. Participants receive either the experimental drug or a placebo (in blinded trials). All participants continue to receive standard-of-care treatment (nintedanib or pirfenidone) unless the trial protocol requires a washout period.

Typical monitoring includes pulmonary function tests (FVC, DLCO) every 4 to 8 weeks, blood tests for liver and kidney function, 6-minute walk tests, and quality-of-life questionnaires. Travel to the study site is usually required, though some trials now offer remote monitoring options.

Participation in a clinical trial does not guarantee access to the experimental drug. In randomized controlled trials, approximately half of participants receive placebo. However, many trials offer open-label extension phases where all participants receive the active drug after the blinded phase ends.

Risks and Benefits

Benefits of trial participation include access to experimental drugs that may be more effective than current options, close monitoring by specialized pulmonologists, and contribution to research that benefits future patients. Risks include potential side effects from untested drugs, the possibility of receiving placebo, and the time commitment involved.

All clinical trials must be approved by an institutional review board (IRB) and follow strict safety protocols. Participants can withdraw at any time for any reason.

Finding Trials by Country

PF-Atlas tracks trial sites across 40+ countries. Major IPF research centers are concentrated in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Australia, and Israel. The Trial Matcher filters by country and shows distance to the nearest trial site when location data is available.