Blog

What Is the Bronchiectasis and NTM Care Center Network?

This blog post was authored by Lucinda Shore and reviewed by the Bronchiectasis and NTM Content Review and Evaluation Committee.As bronchiectasis and nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease become more common in the U.S., getting a quick, accurate diagnosis and expert care is very important. To help meet this need, the Bronchiectasis and NTM Association created the Bronchiectasis and NTM Care Center Network (CCN).The CCN connects people to medical centers throughout the U.S. that provide expert care and treatment, high-quality education, advice, and support for those living with bronchiectasis and NTM lung disease. The CCN gives sites one of two designations:Care Center: These centers offer a clinical research program, treat hundreds of people with bronchiectasis and NTM, and provide direct access to specialists (like dietitians or psychologists) for immediate care.Clinical Associate Center (CAC): CACs provide high-quality, expert care, but may see fewer people with both conditions, may be less involved in research, and may not have access to specialists within the center.

Press Release

Bronchiectasis and NTM Association announces Externally-Led Patient-Focused Drug Development meeting for non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis

The Bronchiectasis and NTM Association today announced plans for an Externally-Led Patient-Focused Drug Development (EL-PFDD) meeting for non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB). This meeting is modeled after the Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA) PFDD public meetings. Drug developers, FDA, and other stakeholders will be in attendance.NCFB is a chronic lung disease characterized by inflammation and chronic infection in which the airways become abnormally widened, thickened, and/or scarred. Once considered rare, NCFB is now recognized more widely as awareness, research, and advances in imaging have improved understanding of the disease. Although the first FDA-approved treatment for NCFB became available in 2025, significant challenges remain. Many people still face delays in diagnosis, limited access to specialized care, and difficulties managing the disease’s daily impact.The NCFB EL-PFDD meeting will:Enhance understanding of how living with NCFB impacts daily life experiences;Capture diverse perspectives of the NCFB community to help foster timely and effective therapy development; andInform regulatory decision-making with insights on current care and treatment benefit needs.

Discussion

National Respiratory Therapist Week

💙 HAPPY NATIONAL RESPIRATORY THERAPIST WEEK! Celebrating the professionals who help us breathe a little easier!This National Respiratory Therapist Week, the BNTM community celebrates the dedicated respiratory therapists who make a meaningful difference in the lives of people living with bronchiectasis and nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease.💙 Respiratory therapists are educators, coaches, problem-solvers, and trusted partners in our respiratory health journey.👏 They assist patients:🫁 Learn airway clearance techniques and use respiratory equipment correctly.💨 Understand nebulizers, inhaled therapies, and breathing treatments.🌿 Manage symptoms and support lung health.📚 Build confidence in managing their condition at home.🤝 Navigate the challenges of living with a chronic lung disease. Respiratory therapists create educational programs for our community. Respiratory therapists work with drug companies and other research organizations to develop new drugs and therapies. Respiratory therapists advocate and work with legislators to secure funding for research.For those living with BNTM, having a knowledgeable respiratory therapist on your healthcare team can make a real difference. Their guidance can help patients feel more confident, informed, and empowered to participate in their care.💐 To all respiratory therapists: Thank you for your expertise, compassion, patience, and commitment to helping our community breathe better. Your work matters more than you know!A big shout-out to our own Christina Hunt and Alyssa Dittner, and all other respiratory therapists within the BNTM Association and the COPD Foundation who dedicate their careers to assisting us on a regular basis.Do you have a respiratory therapist who has made a difference in your BNTM journey? Share a shout-out in the comments and let them know how much they are appreciated!