Conference Recap: 6 Key Trials From American Thoracic Society 2025

The American Thoracic Society’s (ATS) International Conference took place in San Francisco, California, from May 18-21, 2025. Coined as the home of pulmonary, critical care, and sleep professionals, the 4-day conference featured the latest advances in each of these spaces, including updates on key topics in asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, sepsis, acute respiratory distress, sleep apnea, and more.

The HCPLive editorial team was on-site at the meeting, providing written coverage of practice-shifting data as well as interviews with key experts. Check out HCPLive’s comprehensive conference coverage here and our recap of 6 of the top trials with readouts at ATS 2025 below!

Dupilumab Treatment Led to Sustained Asthma Improvements Over 2 Years

At ATS 2025, real-world observational data were presented for dupilumab for patients with severe asthma. Findings from the ongoing ProVENT study showed sustained improvements in lung function, asthma control, and quality of life over 2 years, with 58% of patients achieving asthma remission. Of note, nearly 90% of participants remained free of exacerbations at both 1- and 2-year follow-up.

Ensifentrine Monotherapy Improves Dyspnea, Health-Related Quality of Life in COPD

New data from the phase 3 ENHANCE trials presented at ATS 2025 demonstrated that nebulized ensifentrine monotherapy significantly improved patient-reported outcomes in individuals with moderate-to-severe COPD not receiving long-acting maintenance therapy. Among this subgroup, ensifentrine led to greater improvements in dyspnea, respiratory symptoms, and health-related quality of life compared to placebo, while also reducing the use of rescue medication.

Tirzepatide Shows Consistent Benefit for OSA Regardless of Baseline Severity

At ATS 2025, a post-hoc analysis of data from the phase 3 SURMOUNT-OSA clinical studies demonstrated that tirzepatide significantly improved obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and cardiometabolic outcomes in adults with obesity and moderate-to-severe OSA, regardless of baseline OSA severity or use of PAP therapy. Across severity subgroups, tirzepatide led to consistent reductions in apnea-hypopnea index, sleep apnea-specific hypoxic burden, blood pressure, body weight, and inflammatory markers.

Dupilumab Improves Lung Function in Patients with COPD, Type 2 Inflammation

Pooled data from the phase 3 BOREAS and NOTUS trials presented at ATS 2025 highlighted dupilumab’s sustained benefits for lung function in patients with COPD and type 2 inflammation. In patients on background triple therapy, dupilumab significantly improved multiple lung function parameters—including pre- and post-bronchodilator FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio, and FEF25-75%—as early as week 12, with effects maintained through week 52. These improvements were observed in both current and former smokers.

Phase 2a Data Highlight Effects of Taladegib (ENV-101) on Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

At ATS 2025, post-hoc data from a phase 2a trial of investigational Hedgehog pathway inhibitor taladegib (ENV-101) in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) showed the first clinical evidence of a therapy reducing pulmonary vessel volume—a novel marker of disease burden. Using deep learning-based imaging tools, the analysis revealed that taladegib treatment over 12 weeks led to significant increases in lung volume, reductions in pulmonary vessel volume, and a trend toward reduced fibrosis extent, compared to placebo.

Mepolizumab Reduces Exacerbation Risk, Healthcare Resource Utilization in COPD

Data from the phase 3 MATINEE trial presented at ATS 2025 suggest that adding mepolizumab to triple inhaler therapy may reduce severe exacerbations and healthcare burden in COPD patients with type 2 inflammation. Among 804 patients, mepolizumab led to a 34% lower rate of severe exacerbations and a 35% lower rate of events requiring ED visits or hospitalization over up to 104 weeks. Risk of first severe event was also reduced. Overall healthcare use was similar, but mepolizumab-treated patients required fewer resources per exacerbation.

Check out more from ATS 2025.