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Investing.com -- Omeros Corporation (NASDAQ:OMER) stock soared 65% Wednesday after the biotech company announced a major asset purchase and license agreement with Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO) for its clinical-stage MASP-3 inhibitor zaltenibart.
Under the terms of the agreement, Novo Nordisk will obtain exclusive global rights to develop and commercialize zaltenibart across all indications. Omeros is set to receive $340 million in upfront and near-term milestone payments, with potential total payments reaching $2.1 billion including development and commercial milestones, plus tiered royalties on net sales.
Zaltenibart, formerly known as OMS906, is an antibody designed to inhibit MASP-3, a protein that activates the complement system’s alternative pathway. The drug has shown promise in Phase 2 trials for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), a rare blood disorder where the immune system attacks red blood cells.
Martin Holst Lange, chief scientific officer at Novo Nordisk, highlighted the drug’s potential, stating, "Zaltenibart has a novel mode of action that could offer several advantages over other treatments for complement-mediated diseases."
Following the transaction’s closing, expected in the fourth quarter of 2025, Novo Nordisk plans to initiate a global Phase 3 program for zaltenibart in PNH and explore development for other rare blood and kidney disorders.
Omeros will retain certain rights to its preclinical MASP-3 programs unrelated to zaltenibart, including the ability to develop small-molecule MASP-3 inhibitors with limited indication restrictions. The company plans to focus on securing approval and commercialization of its drug narsoplimab this quarter while advancing its development pipeline.
The deal is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.
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