The European Multicentre Bronchiectasis Audit and Research Collaboration (EMBARC) and Insmed Incorporated have announced a joint plan to launch a three-year, open-label study involving 3,000 patients across Europe. The research aims to evaluate whether the drug brensocatib can modify the disease course of bronchiectasis by intervening earlier in the patient’s diagnostic journey, according to a joint statement released June 25, 2026, at the World Bronchiectasis Conference.
How does brensocatib target bronchiectasis?
Brensocatib functions as an oral, reversible inhibitor of dipeptidyl peptidase-1 (DPP-1). By inhibiting this enzyme, the drug aims to reduce the inflammation and structural airway damage associated with bronchiectasis, a chronic condition where airways widen and become prone to persistent bacterial infections. According to James Chalmers, Ph.D., lead study investigator and Rhodes Chair of Experimental Therapeutics at the University of Oxford, previous data from the ASPEN trial indicated that 25 mg of brensocatib successfully reduced the frequency of exacerbations and slowed the decline of lung function.
Bronchiectasis affects approximately 600,000 people across Europe and millions globally. The condition is characterized by excessive mucus production and recurrent pulmonary exacerbations, which often lead to a rapid decline in overall lung health.
What is the goal of the new 3,000-patient study?
The upcoming interventional study seeks to determine if “upstream” or earlier use of brensocatib can fundamentally alter the trajectory of the disease, rather than simply managing its symptoms. Researchers plan to enroll participants from the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, Belgium, France, and Italy. According to Martina Flammer, M.D., MBA, Chief Medical Officer at Insmed, the study will utilize both well-validated endpoints and novel composite endpoints to measure whether the therapy can preserve lung health over a three-year observation period.
How does this trial compare to previous research?
While the ASPEN trial focused on reducing exacerbation frequency and structural airway changes, this new collaboration expands the research scope. The EMBARC network, established in 2012, brings a pan-European registry approach to this study, allowing for a more heterogeneous patient population than smaller clinical trials. By testing the drug over a longer, three-year horizon, the investigators intend to move beyond short-term symptomatic relief to assess long-term disease modification, according to the official project announcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is bronchiectasis? It is a chronic, inflammatory lung disease involving permanent widening of the airways, leading to infections and mucus buildup.
- What is the role of EMBARC? EMBARC is a research network under the European Respiratory Society that maintains a European registry and conducts high-quality clinical trials for bronchiectasis.
- Who is funding this research? The study is a collaboration between the EMBARC network and the biopharmaceutical company Insmed Incorporated.
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