Altesa BioSciences closed a $75 million Series B to advance vapendavir, an antiviral targeting rhinovirus, into larger mid-stage trials focused on chronic lung disease populations. The financing was led by Forbion and included Sanofi and other investors; former federal health official Brett Giroir now leads the company as CEO. Vapendavir aims to prevent viral-driven exacerbations in COPD and other chronic respiratory illnesses; a Phase 2a challenge study showed symptom improvement and shorter illness duration in infected COPD patients. Altesa plans to start a placebo-controlled mid-stage trial in Q2. The raise reflects investor appetite for antivirals that address exacerbations in high-cost respiratory populations and underscores continued repurposing of older antiviral assets through targeted clinical strategies.