Expedition Therapeutics raised $115 million to advance EXPD-101, an investigational oral DPP1 inhibitor, into Phase 2 clinical development for COPD after dosing the first patient.
Written By: Amit Kumar Bharati, BPharm
Reviewed By: Pharmacally Editorial Team
Expedition Therapeutics has raised $115 million in an oversubscribed Series B financing to accelerate the clinical development of EXPD-101, its investigational next-generation oral dipeptidyl peptidase-1 (DPP1) inhibitor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The funding will support the advancement of the once-daily oral therapy through Phase 2 clinical development, expand the company’s pipeline of next-generation treatments for inflammatory diseases, and strengthen its research and discovery capabilities.
The financing comes as Expedition Therapeutics also announced the first patient has been dosed in the global Phase 2 clinical trial of EXPD-101, marking the company’s transition into mid-stage clinical development. Designed to selectively inhibit DPP1 and target neutrophilic inflammation, EXPD-101 aims to address a key biological driver of COPD progression and exacerbations, offering a differentiated therapeutic approach beyond symptom management.
“Today marks a defining milestone for Expedition as we complete an oversubscribed Series B financing and dose the first patient in our global Phase 2 COPD clinical trial,” said Yi Larson, Founder and CEO of Expedition Therapeutics. He said the financing brings together a leading investor syndicate that shares the company’s commitment to developing differentiated therapies for patients living with serious chronic diseases.
Funding to Advance a Novel DPP1 Inhibitor for COPD
EXPD-101 is an investigational once-daily oral small-molecule DPP1 inhibitor designed to target neutrophilic inflammation, a key biological driver of COPD progression and acute exacerbations. Unlike currently available therapies that primarily focus on symptom control, EXPD-101 is intended to selectively inhibit DPP1, an upstream enzyme involved in the activation of neutrophil serine proteases that contribute to chronic airway inflammation and progressive lung damage.
The company believes this differentiated mechanism of action gives EXPD-101 the potential to become a first- and best-in-class therapy for COPD by addressing an underlying disease pathway rather than simply managing symptoms.
Global Phase 2 Trial Already Underway
Alongside the financing announcement, Expedition Therapeutics confirmed that the first patient has been dosed in its global, randomized Phase 2 clinical trial (NCT07684820) evaluating EXPD-101 in patients with COPD.
According to the company, Expedition is the first company to conduct a global randomized Phase 2 trial of a DPP1 inhibitor in COPD. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study is expected to enroll approximately 600 participants and will evaluate the efficacy, safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of two doses of once-daily EXPD-101 compared with placebo over a 52-week treatment period.
The initiation of the Phase 2 study represents an important milestone for the company’s lead clinical program and marks the transition of EXPD-101 into mid-stage clinical development.
Phase 1 Results Supported Advancement into Phase 2
The Phase 2 program builds on positive Phase 1 findings in which EXPD-101 was reported to be well tolerated, with no dose-limiting toxicities observed. The investigational therapy also demonstrated dose-proportional pharmacokinetics, supporting the feasibility of once-daily oral administration.
These findings provided the clinical foundation for advancing EXPD-101 into Phase 2 to further evaluate its efficacy and safety in patients with COPD.
Targeting a Major Unmet Need in COPD
COPD remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, yet currently available therapies primarily manage symptoms and do not adequately address the chronic neutrophilic inflammation that drives disease progression and recurrent exacerbations.
By selectively inhibiting DPP1, EXPD-101 is designed to reduce activation of neutrophil serine proteases, interrupting an upstream inflammatory pathway implicated in persistent airway inflammation and lung tissue damage.
James Chalmers, M.D., Ph.D., Rhodes Chair of Experimental Therapeutics and Clinical Pharmacology at the University of Oxford, said selective DPP1 inhibition represents a novel therapeutic strategy with the potential to address a key biological driver of COPD. He noted that the global Phase 2 study will evaluate the safety and clinical potential of this investigational approach in patients living with the disease.
With fresh capital secured and clinical development already progressing, Expedition Therapeutics is positioned to advance EXPD-101 through Phase 2 while continuing to expand its pipeline of therapies targeting neutrophil-driven inflammatory diseases. The financing provides the resources to accelerate development of the company’s lead program as it seeks to deliver a differentiated treatment option for patients with COPD.
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About the Writer
Amit Kumar Bharti (LinkedIn) is a pharmacy graduate from DPSRU, Delhi and healthcare writer with a strong interest in pharmaceutical research, medical writing, and evidence-based healthcare communication. He is passionate about translating complex scientific and medical information into clear, accurate, and engaging content for healthcare professionals and the pharmaceutical industry. His focus includes emerging therapies, clinical research, and recent advances in medicine.