Altesa BioSciences closed a $75 million Series B led by Forbion with participation from Sanofi to fund a Phase IIb CARDINAL study of vapendavir, an oral antiviral targeting rhinovirus‑driven COPD exacerbations. The randomized, placebo‑controlled trial will enroll roughly 900 patients across the US and UK and is slated to begin in Q2. Altesa framed vapendavir as a first‑in‑class approach targeting viral triggers of respiratory exacerbations rather than downstream inflammation. The financing leverages clinical leadership hires and aims to de‑risk the program through a large mid‑stage study designed to support later‑stage development in COPD and other high‑risk respiratory populations.