touchRESPIRATORY coverage from ERS 2025:
The ERS Congress 2025 in Amsterdam showcased the latest advances in respiratory medicine, featuring cutting-edge research, interactive workshops, and sessions across 14 specialist assemblies. Highlights included live endoscopy demonstrations, updates on lung cancer projects, and innovative programmes for early career professionals. This year’s congress underscored global collaboration and innovation in respiratory health.
touchRESPIRATORY were delighted to speak with leading experts at ERS 2025, sharing insights on some of the congress’s key presentations and breakthroughs in respiratory medicine.
View our highlights from this event below.
Vapendavir for rhinovirus-triggered COPD exacerbations: phase 2a study results
A phase 2a study presented at ERS 2025 explored the potential of vapendavir, an oral antiviral, to treat rhinovirus-triggered COPD exacerbations. Rhinoviruses are the leading cause of COPD flare-ups, driving hospitalizations, healthcare costs, and long-term lung decline. The study demonstrated that vapendavir was well tolerated, reduced symptom severity, improved lung function, and accelerated recovery, highlighting its promise as a novel therapeutic approach for managing COPD exacerbations.

Phase 2 trial reveals promising efficacy of inhaled itraconazole in ABPA-complicating asthma
A Phase 2, multicentre trial is evaluating a novel inhaled formulation of itraconazole in patients with ABPA-complicating asthma. This study aims to assess the safety, optimal dosing, and potential clinical benefits of delivering antifungal therapy directly to the lungs, addressing a key unmet need in this challenging condition.

Environmental stressors and chronic airway diseases: How heatwaves and pollution affect patients
*Winner of the ELF Best Abstract Grant for Healthy Lungs for Life*
Extreme weather and air pollution can pose serious risks for people living with asthma and COPD. In this interview, Dr Tugce Karamustafalioglu discusses her award-winning study on how heatwaves and poor air quality worsen symptoms, reduce quality of life, and increase exacerbations, while offering practical advice for protecting vulnerable patients.

Phase 2 TIDE-Asthma study explores amlitelimab’s targeted immune approach
The phase 2 TIDE-Asthma (NCT05421598) study is investigating amlitelimab, an OX40L inhibitor, as an add-on therapy for moderate-to-severe asthma. In this Q&A, Dr Praveen Akuthota discusses the drug’s mechanism of action, study aims and design, key clinical endpoints, the findings shared at the ERS International Congress 2025, and the potential impact on future asthma treatment.

Severe asthma insights: SHARP research on PROs, biologic response, and fatigue

Editor: Victoria Smith, Senior Content Editor.
This content has been developed independently by Touch Medical Media for touchRESPIRATORY. It is not affiliated with the European Respiratory Society (ERS). Views expressed are the speaker’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Touch Medical Media.
Disclosures: This article was created by the touchRESPIRATORY team utilizing AI as an editorial tool (ChatGPT (GPT-4o) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat.) The content was developed and edited by human editors. No funding was received in the publication of this article.
Cite: ERS 2025 highlights: Key presentations and breakthroughs in respiratory medicine. touchRESPIRATORY. 27 October 2025.
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