Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation Celebrates 25 Years, Returns to Chicago for Global Conference

Biennial PFF Summit brings together patients, caregivers, and medical experts to drive innovation in PF and ILD care and research

CHICAGO, May 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF), the nation's leading pulmonary fibrosis (PF) research, education, and advocacy organization, will host its biennial PFF Summit 2025 from November 13–15 at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk. Coinciding with the Foundation's 25th anniversary, this three-day international event will gather the global PF and interstitial lung disease (ILD) community for cutting-edge presentations, collaborative sessions, and resources designed to improve patient care and outcomes.

Themed "25 years Together: Honoring the Past, Building on the Present, Innovating for the Future," the PFF Summit 2025 will spotlight the importance of partnerships in advancing research, clinical care, and support services for more than 250,000 Americans living with PF and ILD. The event welcomes patients, caregivers, lung transplant recipients, those who have lost a loved one, healthcare professionals, researchers, and industry leaders to engage with the latest science and share real-world experiences.

"Our Summit theme reflects our continuing commitment to uniting the entire PF and ILD community — from patients and caregivers to researchers and clinicians," said Scott Staszak, President and CEO of the PFF. "For 25 years, we've worked to improve care, support, and quality of life for those affected by these diseases. Today, we're building on that legacy by advancing new therapies, strengthening research-informed care practices, and harnessing the growing momentum within our community to create a better future."

The Summit officially begins with a welcome reception and poster presentation on Thursday, November 13, offering a dynamic environment for networking and showcasing emerging research. The poster session—a longstanding highlight of the Summit—will recognize outstanding scientific contributions through five competitive Poster Awards, with monetary prizes and travel support awarded to the top three presenters ($2,000 for first place, $1,500 for second, $1,000 for third) and travel awards for two additional finalists. Winning authors will be honored during Friday evening's program and the top presenter will share their work during Saturday's special session, "Research in the Pipeline: Paving the Way for Tomorrow's Breakthroughs."

This year, the PFF is doubling the number of research awards by launching five new Trainee Poster Awards for medical school students, residents, and fellows. Awardees will receive travel support in advance to ensure they can attend and present their work in person—part of the Foundation's broader commitment to nurturing the next generation of PF and ILD researchers.

In another exciting development, enduring CME credit will be available for accredited sessions for up to 12 months following the Summit. Participants will be able to access recorded sessions via the Foundation's website, which will link to the accrediting provider's platform. This expanded format builds on the PFF's longstanding offering of CME, CE, and MOC credits, making it even more convenient for healthcare professionals to stay current on clinical best practices.

Daily plenary sessions on Friday, Nov. 14, and Saturday, Nov. 15, will begin with keynote speakers and feature expert panels addressing timely topics. Friday's keynote will explore how to build more equitable clinical trials across diverse populations. Saturday's keynote will focus on the potential of artificial intelligence to identify preclinical therapeutic targets. In addition, breakout sessions throughout both days will offer tailored programming, with three concurrent tracks for patients, caregivers, and families, and two tracks for healthcare professionals during each time block.

The call for abstracts opens Monday, June 2, with a submission deadline of Friday, August 1 at 5:00 p.m. ET. All abstract applications are to be submitted through the online platform, ProposalCentral.

The PFF Summit 2025 is made possible through the generous support of the conference's Diamond sponsor, Boehringer Ingelheim, and contributions from additional corporations, foundations, and individuals impacted by pulmonary fibrosis. For more information and to register for the PFF Summit 2025, visit pffsummit.org.

About the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation

The mission of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation is to accelerate the development of new treatments and ultimately a cure for pulmonary fibrosis. Until this goal is achieved, the PFF is committed to advancing improved care of patients with PF and providing unequaled support and education resources for patients, caregivers, family members, and health care providers. The PFF has a four-star rating from Charity Navigator and is an accredited charity by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Wise Giving Alliance. The Foundation has met all of the requirements of the National Health Council Standards of Excellence Certification Program® and has earned the Guidestar Platinum Seal of Transparency. For more information, visit pulmonaryfibrosis.org or call 844.TalkPFF (844.825.5733)

Contact: Dorothy Coyle, Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 773-332-6201

SOURCE The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation