• Ebenbuild’s Twinhale technology is used for the first time in lung models for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
  • Trial results are published in Nature Communications

Munich, Germany – April 9, 2025 — Ebenbuild, which develops personalized, AI-driven digital lung twins for clinical decisions and digital clinical trials, has announced its contribution to a groundbreaking study published today in . The article, entitled Preclinical concept studies showing advantage of an inhaled anti-CTGF/CCN2 protein for pulmonary fibrosis treatment (DOI:10.1038/s41467-025-58568-x), emphasizes the potential of inhaled therapeutics in treating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a severe lung disease with limited treatment options. Ebenbuild’s advanced digital lung simulation software, Twinhale, was crucial in demonstrating the widespread distribution of aerosol deposition in both healthy and IPF-affected lungs, offering key insights alongside the clinical safety data (NCT05473533) of the new inhaled Anticalin® protein PRS-220, developed by Pieris Pharmaceuticals (now Pavella Therapeutics, Inc.).

The study marked the first use of Ebenbuild’s innovative digital twin technology, Twinhale, in IPF patients. Researchers analyzed computer tomography (CT) data from the Open Source Imaging Consortium (OSIC) database and created patient-specific models for two selected cases, utilizing available spirometry and physiological data. They also modeled the impact of fibrotic tissue. The digital twins, which simulated normal and diseased lung structure and function, were then used to examine the delivery and distribution of PRS-220 within virtual lung environments. Ebenbuild’s team used these high-resolution digital twins of the human lung to generate detailed and precise predictions of aerosol deposition patterns. The simulations showed that PRS-220 effectively penetrates and covers fibrotic lung tissue, providing a significant advantage over traditional systemic treatments.

“Working with Ebenbuild enabled us to simulate drug deposition in diseased human lungs without conducting extensive clinical studies,” said Vanessa Neiens, Biology Lead, Pieris Pharmaceuticals (now Pavella Therapeutics, Inc.).

“This collaboration highlights the transformative potential of our in silico technologies in drug development and demonstrates how digital tools can bridge the gap between preclinical research and clinical success,” said Dr. Jonas Biehler, CTO of Ebenbuild. “By developing precise, patient-specific in silico lung models, we were able to show how inhaled PRS-220 can effectively target diseased tissue, paving the way for more efficient therapies for IPF patients.”

“Our digital twin technology combines advanced computational fluid dynamics, tissue mechanics, and anatomical precision to simulate drug transport and deposition throughout the lung,” said Dr. Kei Müller, CEO of Ebenbuild. “This approach can be customized for specific disease indications and not only speeds up preclinical research but also improves the translatability of results to human applications, reducing the risk in developing innovative therapies like PRS-220.”

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About Ebenbuild
Ebenbuild is a pioneering digital health technology company that develops precise computer models of lungs based on patient-specific data, known as digital twins of the lungs. Its digital toolkit uses physics-based simulation, AI, and data science to support decision-makers in the life sciences and healthcare industries. Ebenbuild technology enhances the understanding of respiratory diseases and individual pathophysiology. It facilitates products ranging from personalized decision support to improve patient outcomes in severe respiratory diseases, to in silico trials to accelerate and de-risk the development of inhaled drugs.

About Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic lung disease characterized by irreversible scarring, leading to progressive loss of lung function and breathing difficulties. A key characteristic is its patchy, uneven distribution, where fibrotic and healthy regions coexist, creating irregular airflow and complicating treatment and drug delivery. IPF affects approximately 3 million people worldwide, with 3–9 new cases per 100,000 annually in Europe and North America. Although there is no cure, approved antifibrotic medications can slow its progression. Current research aims to improve understanding of the disease and enable more precisely targeted therapies.

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Ebenbuild
Dr. Jonas Biehler

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