Celea Therapeutics raised $180 million to launch the Phase 3 SURPASS-IPF trial evaluating deupirfenidone (LYT-100) against pirfenidone in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, with patient enrollment expected in early Q3 2026.
Written By: Disha Jadhao, BPharm
Reviewed By: Pharmacally Editorial Team
Celea Therapeutics has completed a $180 million financing to support the clinical development of deupirfenidone (LYT-100), its investigational antifibrotic therapy for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The financing brings together a syndicate of healthcare investors, including RA Capital Management, Leaps by Bayer, and founding investor PureTech Health, alongside a large U.S.-based healthcare-focused fund and a leading sovereign wealth fund.
The proceeds will primarily fund the planned early third-quarter 2026 initiation of the SURPASS-IPF Phase 3 trial, the first head-to-head pivotal study evaluating whether deupirfenidone provides superior clinical benefit over pirfenidone, one of the current standard antifibrotic therapies for IPF.
Next-generation antifibrotic for a disease with limited treatment options
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a rare, progressive lung disease characterized by irreversible scarring of lung tissue, leading to continuous loss of respiratory function and a median survival of approximately two to five years after diagnosis. Despite available antifibrotic therapies, treatment uptake remains low because existing medicines offer modest efficacy while often causing tolerability challenges.
Deupirfenidone is a deuterated form of pirfenidone, developed to improve the pharmacologic profile of the approved antifibrotic while maintaining therapeutic activity. The investigational therapy has received Orphan Drug Designation from both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Commission for IPF.
SURPASS-IPF to directly compare deupirfenidone with pirfenidone
SURPASS-IPF (NCT07284602) is a global, randomized, double-blind Phase 3 trial enrolling adults with IPF who are not receiving background antifibrotic therapy. Participants will receive either deupirfenidone 825 mg three times daily or pirfenidone 801 mg three times daily.
The primary endpoint is the change from baseline in absolute forced vital capacity (FVC) at Week 52, with the study specifically evaluating whether deupirfenidone demonstrates superiority over pirfenidone in preserving lung function.
The company expects to begin patient enrollment in early Q3 2026.
Earlier clinical findings support pivotal development
The Phase 3 program builds on findings from the global Phase 2b ELEVATE IPF trial (NCT05321420), published in The American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. In that study, deupirfenidone showed the potential to stabilize lung function decline over at least 26 weeks as monotherapy while maintaining a favorable safety and tolerability profile.
Preliminary data from the ongoing open-label extension further suggest that these clinical effects may persist through at least 52 weeks, supporting continued evaluation in late-stage development.
Beyond IPF, Celea believes deupirfenidone may also have potential across other progressive fibrotic lung diseases, including progressive fibrosing interstitial lung diseases.
Financing supports pivotal milestone
Chief Executive Officer Sven Dethlefs, Ph.D., said the financing enables Celea to rapidly advance the pivotal development of deupirfenidone and reflects investor confidence in its potential to improve outcomes for patients with IPF.
Laura Stoppel, Ph.D., Partner at RA Capital Management, said the clinical data generated to date and the head-to-head Phase 3 strategy position the program to meaningfully reshape the treatment landscape if superiority over pirfenidone is demonstrated.
With financing secured and the pivotal study scheduled to begin in the coming months, Celea is entering the most important stage of deupirfenidone’s clinical development. Positive results from SURPASS-IPF could establish the therapy as a next-generation antifibrotic and potentially redefine first-line treatment for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
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About the Writer
Disha Sanjay Jadhao (LinkedIn) is a pharmacy graduate and healthcare writer with a strong interest in clinical documentation and simplifying healthcare information for better reader understanding. She is enthusiastic, adaptable, and eager to take on new challenges while contributing to clear, accurate, and engaging medical and pharmaceutical content.