The deal involves a drug for rare hemoglobin and kidney disorders
Novo Nordisk has announced its collaboration with biopharma firm Omeros Corporation for an asset purchase and license agreement for zaltenibart, a candidate drug in clinical development for rare blood and kidney disorders.
As an antibody, zaltenibart is designed to inhibit the MASP-3 protein, which acts as a key activator of the complement system’s alternative pathway. According to Chief Scientific Officer and Executive Vice President of Research & Development at Novo Nordisk Martin Holst Lange, the drug may offer advantages for complement-mediated diseases compared to other treatments.
Omeros has reported that zaltenibart recorded positive phase 2 data when it comes to paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) or a rare blood disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys red blood cells.
The drug has also shown many potential advantages compared to other alternative pathway inhibitors that were either being developed or are already on the market. It has also demonstrated an acceptable safety profile across all clinical trials.
Novo Nordisk has been developing and delivering treatments when it comes to rare blood and kidney disorders, such as Hemophilia and Primary Hyperoxaluria (PH). According to Executive Vice President of Product and Portfolio Strategy Ludovic Helfgott, zaltenibart provides the firm with the opportunity to expand its support for those with rare blood and kidney disorders in the future.
“This agreement will build on Novo Nordisk’s heritage and enhance our existing Rare Disease portfolio with potential to drive additional growth in this business area,” said Helfgott.
According to the agreement, Novo Nordisk will receive exclusive global rights to develop and commercialize zaltenibart in all indications. Meanwhile, Omeros will receive $477 million (US$340 million) in upfront and near-term milestone payments, up to $2.9 billion (US$2.1 billion). This would include potential development and commercial milestones, as well as tiered royalties on net sales.
Omeros will also be retaining its rights to its preclinical MASP-3 programmes that are unrelated to zaltenibart, such as the ability to develop and commercialize small-molecule MASP-3 inhibitors with limited indication restrictions.
Novo Nordisk will look into initiating a global phase 3 programme for the drug in PNH as well as exploring further development in other rare blood and kidney disorders.
The transaction is expected to close in Q4 2025.
