Under the umbrella of the eurIPFnet consortium, leading European basic and clinical scientists in the field of interstitial lung diseases are united to jointly decipher the natural course and molecular pathomechanisms of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) and to develop new therapeutic strategies for patients with IPF. This devastating disease affects approximately 360.000 patients in the EU and the US and causes a substantial socioeconomic burden. IPF patients experience a progressive dyspnoe due to loss of regularly structured alveolar units and concomitant scarring of the lung. Quality of life gradually decreases and patients usually die within 3-5 years after diagnosis. Currently, Pirfenidone, a drug aiming at retarding disease progression, is the only treatment approved in Europe.

Our translational research programme includes a European IPF registry (eurIPFreg), which is open to all clinical experts in the EU and in which valuable, reviewed and centrally approved data with regard to natural course, familiar background and susceptibility factors of IPF are collected. Furthermore, a European IPF biobank (eurIPFbank), in which blood, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, cells and tissue specimen of IPF subjects are collected and kept in trust, is associated with the eurIPFreg. On eurIPFbank samples, transcriptome, proteome, phosphoproteome and lipidome analysis as well as cellular studies and genetic analysis are performed to unravel the molecular pathways underlying IPF and to identify and establish new diagnostic and prognostic markers. Candidate gene verification is performed in cell culture and animal studies, including siRNA and gene transfection technologies and development of genetically altered mice; resulting in the development of new animal models of IPF. Identification of new therapeutic targets in these models is followed by commercial exploitation and early preclinical and early clinical evaluation, for which a clinical trial coordination center will define future standards in view of patient identification, screening and approval. With the help of a broad network of scientists, physicians and patient advocacy groups, we aim to establish a unique, sustainable and internationally unrivalled European infrastructure for investigation and treatment of IPF.

Our mission statement is straight-forward:

              Fighting for improved survival in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis