PureTech-backed Celea Therapeutics raised $180 million to advance deupirfenidone, a retooled version of pirfenidone, into later-stage testing. The company said the financing will fund entry of deupirfenidone into late-stage studies in the third quarter of 2026. Celea’s money is expected to support late development in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, where limited approved options continue to drive demand for improved tolerability and disease-modifying efficacy. The company cites Phase 2 results showing slowed lung function decline versus placebo over six months. For PureTech and its investors, the funding extends a portfolio pattern of backing differentiated respiratory and fibrosis assets; for the IPF field, it adds momentum behind another next-generation pyridone analog as companies compete for follow-on regulatory milestones.