Dr. Sebastian Johnson, Professor of Respiratory Medicine and Allergy at the National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, presented positive findings for Altesa BioSciences' oral antiviral drug vapendavir at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress 2025. The study demonstrated beneficial effects in preventing respiratory deteriorations caused by rhinovirus infections in COPD patients, marking a significant breakthrough in treating the most common cause of COPD exacerbations.
Study Design and Results
The human challenge study enrolled 40 participants with Stage 2 COPD who were intranasally infected with rhinovirus and subsequently treated with either vapendavir or placebo for seven days after symptom onset. The study was conducted by VirTus Respiratory Research Ltd in London, United Kingdom, co-led by Professor Sebastian Johnston and Dr. Michael Edwards in collaboration with Imperial College London and St. Mary's Hospital.
Unlike traditional challenge studies, this trial was designed to closely mimic real-world patient experiences. Participants received treatment only after self-reporting symptom onset and were allowed to return home to their normal environment rather than being confined to clinical facilities. Participants typically developed upper respiratory illness on the second day after challenge, followed by worsening lower respiratory symptoms.
Vapendavir treatment improved patient-reported outcomes, reduced viral load, and maintained lung function compared to placebo. The drug was well tolerated with no serious adverse events and no withdrawals due to adverse events reported during the seven-day treatment period.
Clinical Significance
Professor Johnston emphasized the importance of these findings, stating: "Patients fear these infections because they know it will worsen their symptoms and quite frequently, they end up in hospital. This is the first study to show a positive outcome with an antiviral drug that will treat over half of common colds, and COPD patients will be very enthusiastic to have this drug in their home if and when it gets to this stage."
Dr. Katharine Knobil, Chief Medical Officer of Altesa and former Chief Medical Officer of GSK, noted that this represents "the first study that has shown that an antiviral for rhinovirus infection, the most common cause of COPD exacerbations, can have a positive impact on upper and lower respiratory symptoms in these vulnerable patients."
Market Impact and Future Development
Rhinovirus infection accounts for nearly half of COPD exacerbations, affecting more than 16 million Americans and hundreds of millions worldwide who suffer with COPD daily. Dr. Brett Giroir, Chief Executive Officer of Altesa BioSciences and former US Assistant Secretary for Health and former Acting FDA Commissioner, highlighted the potential economic impact: "If we are successful, not only will we save lives and improve the quality of life for patients, but also potentially save billions of dollars in health care expenditures each year."
Based on these encouraging results, Altesa plans to begin enrollment in a large, multicenter, multinational Phase 2/3 randomized placebo-controlled trial in Stage 2, 3, and 4 COPD patients experiencing rhinovirus infections beginning in early 2026.
Drug Development Profile
Vapendavir is an oral medicine currently in late-stage clinical development by Altesa BioSciences. If approved, the drug has the potential to prevent up to 50% of COPD exacerbations, potentially reducing the need for costly monthly immune-modifying injections that may have long-term side effects. The company's vision is to provide patients with a safe and effective oral treatment that can "stop the virus in its tracks before it can cause devastating consequences."
VirTus Respiratory Research, which conducted the study, is noted as the only company in the world to conduct rhinovirus challenge studies in COPD patients, with Professor Johnston safely conducting such studies since 2006. More detailed results from the challenge study will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
