Challenges and opportunities for drug development in rare pulmonary diseases like cystic fibrosis: an industry perspective.

Purpose of review: There is a critical need for new therapies addressing the high unmet needs of individuals with rare lung diseases. This review examines the challenges industry sponsors face in developing therapeutic products for rare lung diseases, using cystic fibrosis as an example.

Recent findings: Since the development of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators, the drug development landscape for cystic fibrosis has changed. New challenges include defining success in an era of small molecule CFTR modulators, recruitment from a small, ultra-rare population, limited experience with novel trial designs and biomarkers, and fluctuations in funding opportunities.

Summary: While challenges to drug development in rare lung disease, including cystic fibrosis, these challenges also present opportunities for innovation amongst industry sponsors, researchers, foundations/advocacy groups, regulators, and funders. Through collaborative partnerships, we can achieve our collective goal of improving the quality and length of lives of those suffering from rare lung diseases.