Positive pooled long-term data from Phase II interim results for Boehringer Ingelheim’s verducatib, presented at the recent ATS 2026 International Conference, demonstrated the pipeline asset’s potential to reduce the risk of pulmonary exacerbations (PEx) in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB) patients. The results provide validation of the dipeptidyl peptidase 1 (DPP1)/cathepsin C inhibition in NCFB and reinforce the drug class’s position in this disease space, according to GlobalData, a leading intelligence and productivity platform.

Verducatib, a DPP1/cathepsin C inhibitor, is currently being evaluated in the Phase III AIRTIVITY study. The results recently presented relate to final pooled data at week 156 from the Phase II studies AIRLEAF and CLAIRLEAF for verducatib in NCFB. Participants in the AIRLEAF study received once-daily doses of verducatib (1.0/2.5/5.0mg) or placebo, while participants in the rollover study CLAIRLEAF received once-daily doses of verducatib (1.0/2.5/5.0mg). The results demonstrated that the 2.5mg dose was associated with a  lower risk of first PEx and a lower annualized rate of PExs.

Vinie Varkey, Associate Director for Immunology at GlobalData, comments: “As a DPP1 inhibitor, verducatib’s results largely follow the precedent set by Insmed’s first-to-market DPP1 therapy Brinsupri for NCFB and highlight the potential of the pipeline asset to suppress neutrophilic airway inflammation and improve lung infection in NCFB patients.”

Brinsupri’s approval label mandates that the therapy to be taken daily, highlighting the prolonged reliance of NCFB patients on these therapies and necessitating the need for long-term efficacy and safety data for drugs within the DPP1 inhibitor class. However, Brinsupri does not yet have published long-term data beyond 52 weeks as was the case in the asset’s pivotal registrational Phase III ASPEN study. The duration of the observational period in that study is in sharp contrast to the recent results for verducatib that were announced for week 156.

Varkey concludes: “While verducatib’s recent results reinforce the drug class’s position in the NCFB space, the long-term week 156 results for verducatib are also expected to play a significant role in bolstering the asset’s profile as it progresses to later stages of clinical development and signals an opportunity for verducatib to compete against Brinsupri in NCFB.”