What's Happening?
Altesa BioSciences, a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company, has successfully closed a $75 million Series B funding round. The financing was led by Forbion, with participation from Sanofi and existing investors such as Medicxi, Pitango, and Atlantic Partners. The funds will be used to advance vapendavir, a first-in-class therapeutic targeting rhinovirus, which is the leading cause of respiratory exacerbations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other chronic lung diseases. The financing will support the initiation of the Phase 2b CARDINAL study, a multinational randomized placebo-controlled trial set to begin in the second quarter of 2026. This study will enroll 900 COPD patients in the U.S. and the U.K. to evaluate
the safety and efficacy of vapendavir in treating rhinovirus infections.
Why It's Important?
The development of vapendavir is significant as it addresses a critical unmet need in the treatment of COPD, a condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Rhinovirus infections can lead to severe respiratory exacerbations, resulting in hospitalizations and a decline in quality of life for COPD patients. By targeting the virus itself, vapendavir has the potential to reduce the frequency and severity of these exacerbations, thereby improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs. The involvement of major investors like Forbion and Sanofi underscores the potential impact of this treatment on the healthcare industry, particularly in managing chronic lung diseases.
What's Next?
The Phase 2b CARDINAL study is expected to commence in Q2 2026, with Dr. Katharine Knobil, Altesa's Chief Medical Officer, leading the investigation. The study aims to demonstrate that treating rhinovirus infections can improve symptoms, hasten illness resolution, and maintain quality of life for COPD patients. If successful, vapendavir could be expanded for use in other high-risk respiratory populations, such as those with asthma. The study's outcomes could influence future treatment protocols and healthcare policies related to chronic lung diseases.
