Bronchiectasis

The World Bronchiectasis Conference (WBC) is a leading international meeting dedicated to advancing research, clinical care and collaboration in bronchiectasis, bringing together a global community of clinicians, researchers, healthcare professionals, industry partners and patients. This year’s meeting marks 10 years of rapid progress and sets the stage for the next era of innovation. In this Q&A, Organising Committee Co-Chair Prof. Felix C. Ringshausen (Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany) reflects on the evolution of the field, the role of EMBARC in driving progress, this year's theme “Paving the Way for the Next Generation,” and the key scientific and clinical advances shaping this year’s World Bronchiectasis Conference.

As respiratory and pulmonary medicine continues to advance, staying ahead of the curve has never been more critical. In 2025, important therapeutic approvals, major guideline updates, and progress in personalized medicine, artificial intelligence, and diagnostics reshaped how respiratory and pulmonary diseases are understood and managed. As we welcome the new year, we asked our touchRESPIRATORY 2025 Future Leaders to share the developments they believe will shape the future of the field. Here, they highlight three emerging areas poised to influence clinical practice—not only in the year ahead, but for years to come.

In this year-end review, we are pleased to share personal highlights from members of the touchRESPIRATORY Editorial Board and this year's Future Leaders cohort, whose perspectives offer a window into the innovations that have most influenced clinical practice and research over the past 12 months. Their reflections capture not only the momentum of 2025, but also the promise of what lies ahead as the field continues to evolve.

In this episode of Visionary Voices, we welcome Associate Professor Grace Vincent from CQUniversity’s Appleton Institute. A leading expert on sleep and shift work, Grace explores how disrupted sleep affects physician health in both the short and long term, as well as its impact on safety and performance. We also discuss what this means for patient outcomes and share practical strategies to manage sleep loss.

On August 12, the FDA granted approval to brensocatib, making it the first and only therapy specifically indicated for non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB). This approval represents not just a regulatory milestone but a tangible step forward for patients and clinicians alike in managing a complex, under-treated respiratory disease.

As touchRESPIRATORY approaches 10 years of providing education for busy respiratory specialists, we are looking to the future—and it certainly looks bright!

GREAT-2 was a phase II, placebo-controlled trial evaluating gremubamab, a bispecific monoclonal antibody, for chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in bronchiectasis. As part of our ATS 2025 coverage, Dr Merete Long discusses how this targeted therapy disrupts the vicious cycle of infection and inflammation, trial outcomes including significant bacterial load reduction and improved quality of life, and the broader implications for future treatment strategies.

Explore expert perspectives from ATS 2025 with our exclusive interview series. Discover key advances in respiratory care, including updates on COPD, ILD, ventilation strategies, and emerging therapies. Stay informed with concise, clinically relevant insights tailored for healthcare professionals on touchRESPIRATORY.

Physician burnout is at a critical point. In this episode, Nicky speaks with Dr Alfred Atanda about why so many physicians are burning out and what can be done to change the trend. From personal experience to system-wide solutions, Dr Atanda shares valuable insights on improving physician well-being and building a more effective healthcare culture.