Kickoff Meeting
Parma, February 27, 2025 – The University of Parma hosted the kick-off meeting of LevoNano-IPF, a 36-month international research project officially started on February 3, 2025, aimed at developing a new therapeutic strategy for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), a severe and currently incurable lung disease.
Funded by national agencies in Italy, France, and Portugal, under the umbrella of ERA4Health partnership, the project brings together the University of Parma, Université Paris-Saclay (CNRS), and the I3S – University of Porto, with the University Hospital of Parma as a collaborator.
The project explores a novel approach based on reactivating mitochondrial function in fibrotic lung tissue using thyroid hormone T4 delivered through polymeric nanoparticles formulated as an inhalable dry powder. This strategy aims to overcome T4’s low solubility and improve its therapeutic effectiveness in the lungs.
During the meeting, partners discussed the Consortium Agreement, project governance, ethical approvals, recruitment timelines, and the structure of the five scientific Work Packages, covering formulation development, in vitro studies, in vivo validation, and advanced imaging.
Regular Steering Committee meetings and annual in-person gatherings will support project progress toward its 2028 completion.
