Celea Therapeutics Raises $180M in Financing Series

The round was backed by existing investors, including RA Capital Management, Leaps by Bayer, and founder PureTech Health, along with a large U.S.-based healthcare investment fund and a sovereign wealth fund.

The company will use the funding to begin the Phase 3 SURPASS-IPF trial of deupirfenidone (LYT-100) in early Q3 2026. The investigational next-generation antifibrotic therapy is being developed as a potential new standard treatment for people living with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

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The Phase 3 SURPASS-IPF trial is a global, randomized, double-blind study that will directly compare deupirfenidone (825 mg three times daily) with pirfenidone (801 mg three times daily) in adults with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) who are not receiving other background treatments.

The trial's primary goal is to measure the change in patients' forced vital capacity (FVC) after 52 weeks to determine whether deupirfenidone is more effective than pirfenidone. Celea plans to begin the Phase 3 SURPASS-IPF trial in early Q3 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."

"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 change the treatment landscape in IPF meaningfully. 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.”

About Celea Therapeutics

Celea Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative treatments for serious respiratory diseases. Its lead drug candidate, deupirfenidone (LYT-100), is Phase 3-ready and is being developed as a potential new standard of care for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and other fibrotic lung diseases.

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