Lung Association Awards Two Missouri Researchers Grants to Study New Treatments for Lung Disease

Two Washington University in St. Louis doctors have been awarded grants from the American Lung Association Research Institute for their research projects. Jeffrey Koenitzer, PhD was awarded the Catalyst Award and James Krings, MD was awarded the Public Health and Public Policy Research Award.

Dr. Koenitzer’s project will study if a protein found in the lungs, LTBP2, may be used as treatment for pulmonary fibrosis which is the formation of uncontrolled scar tissue in the lungs. LTBP2 has recently been found to predict how quickly lung disease will progress in patients with pulmonary fibrosis. Researchers will look at the specific role of LTBP2 in lung fibrosis. They will identify the relationship between LTBP2 in the blood to determine a treatment for patients elevated blood levels.

Dr. Krings project focuses on the cost analysis of SMART Therapy to improve asthma outcomes. He will compare the cost to payors of SMART vs. traditional asthma inhaler strategies from a healthcare payor perspective. His team will disseminate information on SMART to Medicaid stakeholders while also assessing their awareness of SMART. They hope to improve access to evidence-based and guideline recommended asthma care for those covered by state Medicaid programs.

In the past year, the American Lung Association Research Institute has announced a total research investment of $22 million, making it one of the largest programs in the country focused on lung health. The Lung Association funded 139 research grants, including the Airways Clinical Research Centers (ACRC), and strategic research partnerships focused on finding ways to identify, treat and cure lung disease.

“In 2024, the American Lung Association is celebrating 120 years of funding lifesaving research. Lung Association researchers have achieved major milestones, including helping end the devastation of tuberculosis in this country, saving millions of lives of premature babies with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), supporting research on COVID-19 and much more,” said Brett Schuette, Executive Director at the Lung Association. “Here in Missouri, lung research is critical because more than one million people are living with lung disease. We are honored to welcome Dr. Koenitzer and Dr. Krings to the elite American Lung Association Research Institute team.”

Awards were given different categories addressing many aspects of lung disease; American Lung Association/AAAAI Allergic Respiratory Diseases Award, American Lung Association/ATS/CHEST Foundation Respiratory Health Equity Research Award, Catalyst Award, Emerging Respiratory Diseases (formerly, COVID-19 Respiratory Virus Research Award), Public Health & Public Policy Research Award, Hastings Innovation Award for Interstitial Lung Disease, Dalsemer Interstitial Lung Disease Award, Innovation Award, and the Lung Cancer Discovery Award.

Research projects funded by the Lung Association are carefully selected through rigorous scientific peer review and awardees represent the investigation of a wide range of complex issues related to lung health.

The Lung Association is currently accepting applications for its 2025-2026 research awards and grants cycle. For more information about the active research funding opportunities, visit Lung.org/awards. For more information about the new grant awardees and the entire American Lung Association Research Team, visit Lung.org/research-team.

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For more information, contact:

Janye Killelea
312-940-7624
[email protected]

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