Brensocatib (BRINSUPRI) and Verducatib: What Patients Need to Know About These Emerging Bronchiectasis Treatments
For decades, treatment for bronchiectasis focused on managing infections, clearing mucus, and reducing exacerbations. Today, we’re entering a new era with medications designed to target the inflammation that drives lung damage.
Two medications generating considerable interest are BRINSUPRI® (brensocatib) and verducatib. Both belong to a new class of drugs called DPP1 inhibitors, which are designed to reduce harmful neutrophilic inflammation before it damages the lungs.
BRINSUPRI® is the first FDA-approved medication specifically for adults with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis who have experienced exacerbations. Verducatib remains an investigational therapy that is continuing to be evaluated.
How BRINSUPRI® Works
Unlike antibiotics, BRINSUPRI® does not treat bacterial infections. Instead, it works much earlier in the inflammatory process.
It blocks an enzyme called dipeptidyl peptidase-1 (DPP1), which activates inflammatory enzymes inside neutrophils. These enzymes help fight infection but can also damage healthy lung tissue when inflammation becomes excessive.
By reducing activation of these enzymes in the bone marrow before neutrophils enter the bloodstream, BRINSUPRI® helps reduce inflammation throughout the lungs.
Don’t Expect Immediate Results
During a patient webinar, Professor James Chalmers of the University of Oxford explained that BRINSUPRI® typically takes about four weeks before patients begin noticing benefits.
That’s because the medication works at the level of the bone marrow. Newly formed neutrophils must first enter the bloodstream and then travel to the lungs before the medication’s effects become noticeable.
Understanding this timeline can help set realistic expectations when starting treatment.
What Are Patients Experiencing?
Early real-world experience has been encouraging. Many patients report fewer exacerbations, less mucus, improved energy, and a better quality of life.
Like all medications, however, BRINSUPRI® can cause side effects, and not everyone experiences the same benefits. Some people have reported skin-related side effects and other adverse events. It’s important to discuss any new symptoms with your healthcare provider.
Questions We’re Still Answering
Although BRINSUPRI® represents a major milestone, researchers continue to study important questions, including:
How effective is it for people who rarely experience exacerbations?
What role might it play in people with nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease, who were excluded from the original clinical trials?
Could starting treatment earlier help preserve lung function?
What are the long-term benefits and safety with years of treatment?
As more patients begin using BRINSUPRI®, real-world experience will help answer many of these questions.
What About Verducatib?
Verducatib is another DPP1 inhibitor that has been studied as a potential treatment for bronchiectasis. Like BRINSUPRI®, it targets neutrophilic inflammation by reducing the activation of enzymes that can damage lung tissue.
Although enrollment in the AIRTIVITY™ clinical trial has been completed, researchers continue to analyze the study data. The results will help determine how effective verducatib is, identify which patients may benefit most, and assess its long-term safety.
As additional findings become available, they may help shape future treatment options for people living with bronchiectasis.
Established Treatments Still Matter
Even with exciting new medications, the foundations of bronchiectasis care remain just as important.
For most people, good bronchiectasis management continues to include:
Daily airway clearance
Regular exercise
Prompt treatment of infections
Staying up to date on recommended vaccinations
Good nutrition
Managing reflux when appropriate
Long-term macrolide therapy for carefully selected patients
These strategies work together to help reduce symptoms, maintain lung function, and improve quality of life.
The Role of Azithromycin
During a recent support group discussion, Dr. Ed Chan of National Jewish Health emphasized that azithromycin continues to play an important role for many people with bronchiectasis.
For carefully selected patients, long-term azithromycin may:
Reduce exacerbations
Decrease airway inflammation
Improve quality of life
This approach is supported by international bronchiectasis guidelines.
Why NTM Monitoring Is Essential
Before starting long-term azithromycin—and periodically afterward—patients should be evaluated for nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infection.
If NTM is identified, azithromycin is generally discontinued as a single-agent therapy because it can promote macrolide-resistant NTM, making future treatment much more difficult.
Regular monitoring helps preserve azithromycin as an effective treatment option when it is truly needed.
Looking Ahead
For many years, bronchiectasis treatment focused primarily on controlling infections and clearing mucus. Today, we’re beginning to treat another important part of the disease: the inflammation that contributes to ongoing lung damage.
BRINSUPRI® represents the first FDA-approved medication developed specifically for non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, and additional therapies, including verducatib, continue to be investigated.
While these advances are exciting, no single medication replaces the fundamentals of excellent bronchiectasis care. The best outcomes will likely come from combining:
Targeted medications when appropriate
Consistent airway clearance
Regular exercise
Infection prevention
Healthy lifestyle habits
Personalized care guided by your healthcare team
Final Thoughts
For those of us living with bronchiectasis, these are encouraging times. After years with few new treatment options, research is moving forward at an unprecedented pace.
While many questions remain, the development of targeted therapies such as BRINSUPRI®—and the continued study of medications like verducatib—offers real hope for improving quality of life and changing the future of bronchiectasis care.
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.
