PureTech Launches Celea Therapeutics to Advance Promising Lung Disease Treatment

PureTech Health, a biotechnology firm known for its hub-and-spoke model of startup creation, has announced the launch of Celea Therapeutics, a new subsidiary focused on developing an innovative treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and other inflammatory lung diseases.

Deupirfenidone: A Potential Game-Changer for IPF Treatment

At the heart of Celea Therapeutics' mission is deupirfenidone (LYT-100), a deuterated version of the established IPF drug pirfenidone. This chemically improved compound has shown promising results in clinical trials, potentially offering superior efficacy and tolerability compared to existing treatments.

In a recent Phase 2b trial, deupirfenidone demonstrated its ability to slow lung function decline over 26 weeks compared to placebo. Sven Dethlefs, CEO of Celea Therapeutics, expressed optimism about the drug's potential, stating, "Our phase 2b data demonstrated the potential for best-in-class efficacy with a favorable safety and tolerability profile—addressing two of the most critical limitations of current therapies."

The company plans to meet with the FDA by the end of the third quarter to discuss the Phase 2b results and outline plans for a Phase 3 trial.

Strategic Positioning in a Competitive Landscape

Celea Therapeutics enters a market currently dominated by two approved treatments for IPF: Roche's Esbriet (pirfenidone), which lost patent protection in 2022, and Boehringer Ingelheim's Ofev. However, the landscape is evolving, with Boehringer Ingelheim's follow-on drug, nerandomilast, awaiting an FDA decision in the fourth quarter of this year.

PureTech's strategy of spinning out promising drug programs into independent entities has yielded success in the past, most notably with Karuna Therapeutics. The launch of Celea Therapeutics represents PureTech's continued commitment to this model, which allows for focused development and the potential to attract outside funding as programs mature.

Leadership and Future Directions

Celea Therapeutics will be led by Sven Dethlefs, Ph.D., former CEO of Teva North America. Dethlefs brings valuable experience to the role, including his involvement in the launch of Austedo, a successful deuterated product for Huntington's disease and tardive dyskinesia.

As Celea Therapeutics moves forward, the company will not only focus on advancing deupirfenidone for IPF but also explore its potential in other fibrotic and inflammatory lung conditions. This broader approach aligns with the company's stated mission to "transform the treatment of respiratory diseases."