ERS Congress 2026: What’s Next for Brinsupri and Bronchiectasis?
There was a lot to take in during Professor James Chalmers’ recent rundown of the European Respiratory Society Congress. But one topic especially caught my attention: what researchers are hoping to learn next about Brinsupri (brensocatib) and bronchiectasis.
This year’s ERS Congress took place September 5–9 in Barcelona. Listening to Professor Chalmers explain the research, I kept coming back to the questions that matter when you’re living with this condition. Who will benefit most? What happens after someone takes a treatment for several years? And what about people who also have NTM?
Two research efforts in Europe and the United States aim to help answer those questions.
Brinsupri research in Europe: Could earlier treatment make a difference?
EMBARC, the European bronchiectasis research network, has announced plans to collaborate with Insmed on a three-year study involving up to 3,000 people across the UK, Spain, Germany, Belgium, France, and Italy.
Researchers want to understand whether sustained treatment with brensocatib can change the long-term course of bronchiectasis and whether starting earlier could make a difference. The planned study is open-label, meaning participants and researchers know which treatment is being given. Read EMBARC’s study announcement.
That’s a question worth following. For someone living with bronchiectasis, the future matters as much as how they feel today.
Whether earlier treatment changes the disease’s course is still a research question. This study is intended to help us understand that possibility.
BEST-BE: Studying Brinsupri in everyday care
Here in the United States, the Bronchiectasis and NTM Association has partnered with Insmed on BEST-BE, short for Brensocatib Effectiveness, Safety, and Tolerability in Bronchiectasis.
The study plans to follow approximately 1,000 adults with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis across 13 U.S. sites for two years. It’s observational, meaning researchers will collect information about treatment as it occurs in routine care.
They’ll track flare-ups, quality of life, and side effects. The study will include people with NTM lung infections and those with weakened immune systems, helping broaden our understanding beyond the original ASPEN trial population.
Researchers also plan to use tools such as AI-assisted CT scan analysis, CRISPR-based testing for Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), and tests of mucus thickness and flow. A collection of biological samples, called a biobank, will support future research. Read the BEST-BE announcement.
Why including people with NTM matters
According to Prof. Chalmers, 25-30% of people in the US with bronchiectasis will develop an NTM infection. I had one and hope not to get another, so including people with NTM is important to me.
If you’re managing both bronchiectasis and NTM, you want research that reflects your situation. BEST-BE should help researchers better understand how brensocatib performs in this group, including its safety and tolerability.
Being included in a study doesn’t mean we already know the answer. It means those questions are getting attention and that matters.
What this means for people living with bronchiectasis
Brinsupri became the first FDA-approved treatment for non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis in August 2025, with approval for adults and children ages 12 and older. That was an important milestone for this community. Read the FDA announcement.
Now comes the next part: learning more about how it fits into people’s lives over time.
These studies should add to our understanding of longer-term treatment and the range of people who may benefit. They may also help doctors have more informed conversations with patients about their individual circumstances.
I’m encouraged to see these questions being asked. We still have plenty to learn, but seeing more attention directed toward bronchiectasis gives me reason to be hopeful.
I’ll be following both studies and sharing updates here as we learn more.
Want to Learn More about Bronchiectasis?
The BE CLEAR® Guide to Bronchiectasis is designed to help you understand and manage your chronic lung condition at your own pace. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or looking to strengthen your daily routine, the guide offers expert-informed content, practical suggestions, and compassionate support every step of the way.
