Fibrosist

Fibrosist is a therapeutic technology developed for the management of fibrotic conditions, particularly liver and pulmonary fibrosis. The system combines ultrasound‑guided drug delivery with targeted nanoparticles that release antifibrotic agents directly into the fibrotic tissue. By minimizing systemic exposure, Fibrosist aims to reduce the side effects commonly associated with oral or injectable antifibrotic medications.

The concept behind Fibrosist emerged from research indicating that shear wave elastography could accurately map stiffness within fibrotic tissue. A prototype was first described in a 2019 conference presentation by Dr. Elena Kovalchuk, who demonstrated that ultrasound energy could propel micro‑bubbles loaded with siRNA against collagen I into cirrhotic liver lobes. Subsequent pre‑clinical trials in rodents showed a 25 % reduction in collagen deposition after a single treatment cycle. In vitro studies suggest the nanoparticles are cleared via the reticuloendothelial system within 48 hours, limiting long‑term accumulation.

Clinical investigation began in a Phase I study enrolling 30 adult patients with compensated cirrhosis. Results reported in 2022 indicate the procedure is well tolerated, with no serious adverse events and a trend toward improved liver stiffness measurements. A Phase II trial is currently recruiting patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis to evaluate efficacy and dosing schedules.

Fibrosist remains an investigational device; regulatory approvals have not yet been obtained in the United States or Europe. Researchers are studying the device’s scalability, cost‑effectiveness, and potential applications in other fibrotic diseases such as scleroderma and myocardial fibrosis.