The Bronchiectasis and Nontuberculous Mycobacterial (NTM) Disease Program at Montefiore Einstein was designated by the Bronchiectasis and NTM Association as one of just eight newly named Bronchiectasis and NTM Care Centers nationwide, earning the highest level of national recognition within the Bronchiectasis and NTM Care Center Network (CCN). This designation places Montefiore Einstein among an elite group of 35 expert centers in the U.S., recognized for delivering comprehensive, multidisciplinary care, supported by specialized on-site resources and leadership in research and clinical trials. Montefiore Einstein was selected for the most recent CCN expansion announced in October 2025.

A defining strength of our Program is our fully integrated, multidisciplinary care model, with coordinated access to specialty expertise across the health system, including thoracic surgery, gastroenterology, allergy and immunology, otorhinolaryngology – head and neck surgery (ENT), respiratory therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, nutrition and other essential services.

Complementing this care model, a cornerstone of our Program is our active clinical trials portfolio, which provides patients access to emerging therapies that are not yet widely available. Under the leadership of Divya B. Reddy, MD, MPH, Director of the Bronchiectasis and NTM Disease Program at Montefiore Einstein, and Eric A. Meyerowitz, MD, Co-Director of the Program, the team played a key role in advancing treatment options for bronchiectasis and NTM lung disease over the past year.

Led locally by Dr. Reddy as site principal investigator, Montefiore Einstein participated in the pivotal phase 3 ASPEN study (NCT04594369), an international clinical trial whose results were published in The New England Journal of Medicine in April 2025. The study supported U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of brensocatib (Brinsupri™) in August 2025. Brensocatib, an oral, reversible inhibitor of dipeptidyl peptidase 1 (DPP-1), is the first and only FDA-approved treatment for non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. Dr. Reddy also serves as site principal investigator for the ENCORE trial (NCT04677569), a multicenter, multinational phase 3 study evaluating the safety and efficacy of amikacin liposome inhalation suspension (ALIS) for the treatment of adults with newly diagnosed NTM lung infection caused by Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC)—one of the most common and difficult-to-treat complications of bronchiectasis.

In addition, Dr. Meyerowitz served as the site principal investigator for a recently completed phase 2 multicenter clinical trial (NCT04922554) evaluating the efficacy, safety and tolerability of oral omadacycline in the treatment of adults with NTM pulmonary disease caused by Mycobacterium abscessus complex (MABC). Montefiore Einstein was among the highest-enrolling sites nationwide, underscoring the Program’s leadership in advancing care for complex NTM infections.

Currently, ALIS (Arikayce®) remains the only FDA-approved therapy for treatment-refractory MAC lung disease when added to standard guideline-based therapy, and brensocatib is the only FDA-approved therapy for non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. As a result, the Program’s research initiatives are critical to expanding therapeutic options and advancing care for patients with limited treatment pathways. By integrating world-renowned clinical expertise with pioneering research, the Program ensures patients have access to the most advanced, evidence-based care available today.

Bronchiectasis is a chronic, progressive respiratory condition characterized by permanent widening of the bronchial airways and impaired mucociliary clearance, leading to mucus retention, recurrent lung infections and progressive airway damage. Over time, the disease can result in impaired lung function, long-term disability, reduced quality of life and increased mortality. Nontuberculous mycobacterial lung infections are an underrecognized cause of chronic respiratory illness, often acquired through environmental aerosol exposure from soil and water. They are associated with severe disease manifestations and increased mortality, particularly when untreated. The Bronchiectasis and NTM Care Center Network was established to help address this growing burden on patients and their families and to expand access to high-quality care as the number of individuals diagnosed with bronchiectasis and NTM lung disease continues to rise.

“This designation reflects the strength, continued growth and excellence of our Program and affirms Montefiore Einstein as a nationally recognized destination for specialized bronchiectasis and NTM care,” said Dr. Reddy. “Being part of this national network enhances our ability to collaborate with leading experts, expand access to clinical trials and research opportunities and deliver high-quality, multidisciplinary care and resources that can meaningfully improve patient outcomes and quality of life.”

Montefiore Einstein is ranked in the top 1% of all hospitals in the nation for pulmonology and lung surgery and is among the highest performing hospitals in the nation for pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to U.S. News & World Report. Montefiore Einstein’s designation as a Bronchiectasis and NTM Care Center further reinforces its role as a national and international leader in the diagnosis and management of bronchiectasis and NTM lung disease, combining specialized clinical expertise, research innovation and a commitment to delivering the highest-quality pulmonary care for every patient we serve.