Core Insights - Novo Nordisk has entered into a definitive asset purchase and license agreement with Omeros Corporation for the drug zaltenibart, which is in clinical development for rare blood and kidney disorders [1][2] Financial Terms - Under the agreement, Omeros is eligible to receive $340 million in upfront and near-term milestone payments, with a total potential of $2.1 billion including development and commercial milestones, plus tiered royalties on net sales [2][9] Drug Mechanism and Development - Zaltenibart is an antibody targeting MASP-3, a key activator of the complement system's alternative pathway, which is implicated in various rare diseases [3][10] - Positive phase 2 data has been reported for zaltenibart in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), showing multiple advantages over other alternative pathway inhibitors [4][11] - Novo Nordisk plans to initiate a global phase 3 program for zaltenibart in PNH and explore its development in other rare blood and kidney disorders [6][7] Strategic Positioning - The acquisition of zaltenibart enhances Novo Nordisk's Rare Disease portfolio and supports its ambition to lead in this therapeutic area [7][9] - Omeros retains rights to its preclinical MASP-3 programs unrelated to zaltenibart, allowing for continued development of small-molecule MASP-3 inhibitors [5]
Novo Nordisk and Omeros announce asset purchase and license agreement for Omeros' clinical-stage MASP-3 inhibitor zaltenibart (OMS906)