There is positive news for people affected by idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new treatment called Jascayd (nerandomilast) – this is the first new therapy for IPF in more than ten years.
Although this approval comes from the United States, it is an important development for the global IPF community, including here in the UK. It signals continued progress in research and could pave the way for future access through other regulatory agencies such as the MHRA.
It is expected to take around 18 months before Jascayd could become available through the NHS in the UK, following regulatory review and approval processes.
Understanding IPF
IPF is a serious lung condition that causes scarring (fibrosis) in the lungs, making breathing increasingly difficult. It most often affects people aged between 60 and 70. Symptoms can include breathlessness, a dry cough, and fatigue. The disease can progress at different rates, and some people experience sudden flare-ups where symptoms worsen quickly.
About the new treatment
In the Boehringer Ingelheim FIBRONEER™ clinical trials, people taking Jascayd experienced a slower decline in lung function compared with those given a placebo. Jascayd is taken twice a day as an 18mg tablet, and doses can be adjusted if side effects occur.
Possible side effects
The most common side effects include diarrhoea, nausea, fatigue, headache and loss of appetite. Anyone considering new treatments should always seek advice from their specialist team.
Why this matters
This approval marks an encouraging step forward for everyone affected by IPF. While Jascayd is not yet available in the UK, its approval shows that research into new and better treatments for IPF is continuing and that progress is being made.
Read the full FDA announcement here.
[Posted October 2025]