Virtus Respiratory Research Ltd is pleased to share that our collaboration with Altesa
Biosciences, Inc. has contributed to the successful close of a $75 million oversubscribed
Series B financing.
The financing follows positive results from a Phase 2a human rhinovirus challenge study in
patients with COPD, conducted by Virtus in partnership with Altesa. The study generated
controlled clinical data evaluating vapendavir in the setting of rhinovirus infection, a key
driver of exacerbations in COPD.
These results have supported both investor confidence and the advancement of the
programme into the ongoing Phase 2b CARDINAL study.
Rhinovirus induced exacerbations remain a significant unmet need in COPD, contributing to
disease progression, hospitalisation and healthcare burden. Human viral challenge studies
can play an important role in generating early, mechanistic and efficacy data in a well-characterised setting before larger field studies are undertaken.
We are proud that our work has helped underpin this important milestone and we look
forward to continuing to support the development of targeted therapies for viral driven
exacerbations in chronic respiratory disease.