Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical (Group) Co., Ltd. has announced the initiation of a Phase 1b clinical trial for its self-developed new drug, XH-S004, designed for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in China, excluding the Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and Taiwan region. Developed by S-INFINITY Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Fosun Pharma, XH-S004 is a small molecule oral DPP-1 inhibitor. It targets neutrophils by inhibiting DPP-1 and neutrophil-activated serine proteases, aiming to reduce chronic inflammatory responses and associated airway damage in COPD. The drug seeks to address a significant unmet need in COPD treatment, as current therapies have limited efficacy in preventing acute exacerbations or slowing disease progression. Additionally, XH-S004 is undergoing a Phase II clinical trial for the treatment of non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis in Mainland China. No results from the current trial have been presented yet.