Pharmaceutical compositions and methods are described which rely upon glycogen synthase kinase 3 (form β; GSK 3 β) inhibitors, most preferably 9-ING-41, to inhibit fibrotic pulmonary remodeling in vivo including proliferation and differentiation of myofibroblasts to fibrotic fibroblasts in several mouse models. Therapeutic targeting of GSK-3β with the clinically useful specific inhibitor, 9-ING-41, mitigates fibrotic pulmonary remodeling in vivo and provides a mode of therapy of human IPF by specific GSK-3β inhibition with 9-ING-41.