Boston — Celea Therapeutics has completed a $180 million financing to support the Phase 3 development of deupirfenidone as a potential treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
The financing included participation from RA Capital Management, Leaps by Bayer and Celea founder PureTech Health, along with a large U.S.-based healthcare investment fund and a sovereign wealth fund.
Celea, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on serious respiratory diseases, plans to use the proceeds to begin the Phase 3 SURPASS-IPF trial in early third-quarter 2026.
“People living with IPF continue to face a devastating disease with limited treatment options, and we believe deupirfenidone has the potential to deliver meaningful improvements for patients,” said Sven Dethlefs, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Celea. “We are grateful for the support and confidence of this exceptional group of investors, whose commitment enables us to initiate the Phase 3 SURPASS-IPF trial and advance development of deupirfenidone with the speed and focus this community deserves.”
Deupirfenidone, also known as LYT-100, is an investigational next-generation antifibrotic and a deuterated form of pirfenidone, one of three therapies approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for IPF.
The global, randomized and double-blind SURPASS-IPF trial will directly compare deupirfenidone with pirfenidone in adults with IPF who are not receiving background therapy.
Participants will receive either 825 milligrams of deupirfenidone three times daily or 801 milligrams of pirfenidone three times daily. The trial’s primary efficacy endpoint will measure the change from baseline in absolute forced vital capacity at 52 weeks to determine whether deupirfenidone is superior to pirfenidone.
“We are delighted to support Celea as it enters this important next stage of development,” said Laura Stoppel, Ph.D., Partner at RA Capital Management. “The compelling results generated to date with deupirfenidone and the Company’s bold Phase 3 SURPASS-IPF trial represent a differentiated opportunity to meaningfully change the treatment landscape in IPF. Supported by a seasoned team with a demonstrated track record of successfully advancing innovative medicines, Celea is exceptionally well positioned to execute on its strategy of unlocking the full potential of deupirfenidone for patients.”
Deupirfenidone has received Orphan Drug Designation from the FDA and the European Commission.
Celea said the use of approved antifibrotic treatments has historically been limited by a tradeoff between modest efficacy and tolerability. About 25% of people with IPF in the United States had received treatment as of 2019, according to the company.
