Inhaled Mosliciguat Improved Heart Health in Phase 2 Trial
The experimental therapy demonstrated significant reductions in pulmonary vascular resistance for patients with PH-ILD.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Heart Disease
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Results from the phase 2 PHocus trial show that patients with pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease (PH-ILD) who received inhaled mosliciguat experienced a 51.3% reduction in pulmonary vascular resistance at week 16. The treatment group also saw improved exercise capacity compared to the placebo group.
Why it matters
Pulmonary hypertension in the context of interstitial lung disease significantly limits patient exercise capacity and heart function. This trial aimed to validate whether daily inhaled mosliciguat can mitigate this strain and improve long-term outcomes for a difficult-to-treat patient population.
The PHocus trial evaluated 135 adults, with 91 receiving mosliciguat and 44 receiving a placebo. The treatment group demonstrated a 35.2-meter improvement in 6-minute walk distance compared to the placebo group at week 16.
The players
European Respiratory Society
This is a leading international medical organization that promotes the study and treatment of lung conditions through scientific congresses and research publication.
The details
Data presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress showed that the mosliciguat group had a 56.3% placebo-adjusted decrease in pulmonary vascular resistance. Researchers also noted that the treatment group experienced a 12.1% incidence of cough, compared to 18.2% in the placebo arm, while serious adverse events were recorded at 33% and 27.3% respectively.
Timeline
Week 16 marked the primary assessment of pulmonary vascular resistance and 6-minute walk distance endpoints.
Researchers will perform further assessments of exercise capacity and biomarkers at week 20.
A final assessment of clinical differences is scheduled to occur at week 24.
Health Landscape
These findings establish a critical clinical benchmark for the ongoing PHrontier phase 3 study, which aims to further validate the efficacy and safety of the treatment. The research builds on existing protocols for treating pulmonary hypertension in patients with complex interstitial lung disease.
Patients with PH-ILD may eventually have access to a daily inhaled treatment option that improves exercise capacity and heart function. The study highlights that clinical outcomes are being actively monitored to ensure the safety and long-term viability of the therapy.
The takeaway
The phase 2 results suggest that targeted inhaled therapy can significantly reduce vascular resistance in patients with chronic lung-associated hypertension. Continued participation in larger phase 3 trials remains essential to fully characterize the long-term clinical benefits of this approach.
What happens next
The ongoing phase 3 PHrontier study is currently targeting an enrollment of 375 patients to further assess clinical worsening, exercise capacity, and vascular resistance over a 24-week period.
Further reading
For more on the current understanding of complex cardiac and pulmonary conditions, visit the Heart Disease section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Healio.
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