Research Center

Pulmonary fibrosis is a condition in which tissue deep in your lungs becomes thick and stiff, or scarred, over time. The development of the scarred tissue is called fibrosis.

In some cases, doctors can find out what is causing the fibrosis. But in most cases, they can't. They call these cases idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, or IPF for short. Current treatment options for this condition are limited.

There is a compound called IL-13 that plays a role in the scarring seen in IPF. But there is still a lot to learn about IPF. For example, it is not known whether people with IPF have high levels of IL-13.

Novartis Pharmaceuticals is sponsoring a clinical study to help answer the question of whether people with IPF have high levels of IL-13. This study is being conducted at six medical centers in the United States.

If you would like to learn more about this study, the next step is to set up an appointment with a study team. During your first appointment, the team will provide more study details to you. This includes possible risks and benefits and your responsibilities, among other things. This is known as the informed consent process.

If you agree to participate, the study team will then perform several additional tests to make sure that you meet the qualifications. If you meet them, you will be officially enrolled in the study.

Participants enrolled will then come to the study center at least five times over a period of about 29 days. On the first visit after enrollment, they will receive an experimental medication through an IV. Each week thereafter, a blood sample will be taken to measure the level of IL-13 in the blood.