Altesa BioSciences, a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on improving outcomes for people with chronic lung diseases, has closed an oversubscribed $75 million Series B financing round to advance development of vapendavir, a first-in-class therapeutic targeting rhinovirus infections. The round was led by Forbion, with participation from Sanofi and existing investors Medicxi, Pitango, and Atlantic Partners.
The proceeds will support the initiation of the Phase 2b CARDINAL study, a multinational randomized placebo-controlled trial designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of vapendavir in patients with COPD who experience rhinovirus infections. The study is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2026 and will enroll 900 participants across the United States and the United Kingdom.
Vapendavir is being developed as an oral antiviral therapy to address rhinovirus, the predominant cause of respiratory exacerbations in patients with COPD and other chronic lung diseases. Rhinovirus infections are a leading driver of symptom worsening, hospitalizations, and long-term disease progression in these high-risk populations.
The CARDINAL study builds on results from a recently completed rhinovirus challenge study in COPD patients. In that study, vapendavir improved upper and lower airway symptoms, reduced illness duration and inflammatory markers, and better maintained small airways lung function compared to placebo. The Phase 2b trial will monitor participants over time and randomize them upon confirmation of rhinovirus infection to receive one of two doses of vapendavir or placebo. The primary endpoint focuses on improvement in respiratory symptoms using established patient-reported outcomes, with additional measures including time to symptom resolution, quality of life, healthcare resource utilization, and lung function.
While the immediate clinical focus is on COPD, the company believes vapendavir may have broader potential in other high-risk respiratory populations, including individuals with asthma.
In connection with the financing, Jon Edwards, Ph.D., Partner at Forbion, will join Altesa’s board of directors. Moncef Slaoui, Ph.D., will transition from board member to chair of the board, as the company advances vapendavir into late-stage clinical development.
Altesa BioSciences is led by experts in respiratory medicine and infectious diseases and is dedicated to addressing viral respiratory infections as a root cause of exacerbations and inflammation in chronic lung disease. In addition to developing vapendavir, the company advocates for improved access to modern respiratory diagnostics and therapeutics in underserved communities.
KEY QUOTES:
“There is nothing ‘common’ about the common cold for people with chronic lung disease. This financing supports advancing clinical development of vapendavir for the treatment of rhinovirus infections, the leading cause of respiratory exacerbations in COPD and other chronic lung conditions. Vapendavir targets the cause of inflammation and exacerbations – the virus itself. We are honored to have Forbion as our lead investor, a global leader with an unmatched track record for developing companies and products across multiple therapeutic areas. In addition, Altesa will benefit greatly from the participation of Sanofi, given its ongoing expertise in COPD therapeutics. By focusing on the true medical need – patients most at risk for hospitalization, death, and long-term decline – we hope to radically improve outcomes and reduce overall healthcare burden.”
Brett P. Giroir, M.D., CEO of Altesa BioSciences and former Assistant Secretary of Health and Acting FDA Commissioner
“Our trial’s objective is to demonstrate that treatment of rhinovirus respiratory infections can improve symptoms, hasten resolution of illness, and maintain quality of life, while potentially avoiding advanced medical interventions. For many COPD patients, even a simple cold can lead to an exacerbation, hospitalization, and worsening quality of life – vapendavir has the potential to change that trajectory.”
Dr. Katharine Knobil, Chief Medical Officer of Altesa BioSciences and former CMO of GSK
“Rhinovirus-driven exacerbations represent one of the most significant and underserved drivers of morbidity in COPD and other chronic lung diseases. Altesa’s vapendavir is a first-in-class approach that targets the underlying viral cause of these events, with the potential to meaningfully improve outcomes and reduce healthcare burden for millions of patients. We are proud to lead this financing and support the world class team Altesa has assembled as they advance vapendavir into the Phase 2b CARDINAL study.”
Jon Edwards, Ph.D., Partner at Forbion
