SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Omeros Corporation (Nasdaq: OMER) today announced that, as the company prepares for planned commercialization of OMS721, the United States Adopted Names (USAN) Council, in consultation with the World Health Organization’s International Nonproprietary Names (INN) Expert Committee, has selected for the drug the nonproprietary name “narsoplimab.” Narsoplimab is the company’s lead human monoclonal antibody targeting mannan-binding lectin-associated serine protease-2 (MASP-2), the effector enzyme of the lectin pathway of the complement system, and is currently being evaluated in three Phase 3 clinical programs: hematopoietic stem cell transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (HSCT-TMA), immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. Narsoplimab holds breakthrough therapy designations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of high-risk HSCT-TMA and for the treatment of IgA nephropathy and, to the company’s knowledge, no other drug has breakthrough therapy designation for either of these indications. Narsoplimab is proprietary to Omeros with issued patents running to 2032 and currently pending patents that are expected to extend coverage until 2037.
The USAN Council, by working closely with the INN Programme of the World Health Organization and various national nomenclature groups, aims for global standardization and unification of drug nomenclature to ensure that drug information is communicated accurately and unambiguously. Going forward, Omeros will use the name “narsoplimab” in upcoming publications and public statements, at conferences and other forums, and in commercialization-related materials as the company continues progressing toward commercialization of the product in HSCT-TMA and other indications. The company is working with an international branding agency to finalize a global proprietary brand name for narsoplimab.
Omeros is initially targeting approval for narsoplimab in HSCT-TMA, and the company has initiated preparation of its biologics license application (BLA) and marketing authorization application (MAA) for submission to FDA and to the European Medicines Agency, respectively.
About Omeros’ MASP Programs
Omeros controls the worldwide rights to MASP-2 and all therapeutics targeting MASP-2, a novel pro-inflammatory protein target involved in activation of the complement system, which is an important component of the immune system. The complement system plays a role in the inflammatory response and becomes activated as a result of tissue damage or microbial infection. MASP-2 is the effector enzyme of the lectin pathway, one of the principal complement activation pathways. Importantly, inhibition of MASP-2 does not appear to interfere with the antibody-dependent classical complement activation pathway, which is a critical component of the acquired immune response to infection, and its abnormal function is associated with a wide range of autoimmune disorders. MASP-2 is generated by the liver and is then released into circulation. Gene-targeted MASP-2-deficient mice and humans with MASP-2 gene polymorphisms that affect MASP-2 serum levels and MASP-2 functional activity are generally healthy with no obvious adverse phenotype.
Phase 3 clinical programs are in progress for narsoplimab, Omeros’ lead MASP-2 inhibitor also referred to as “OMS721,” in hematopoietic stem cell transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (HSCT-TMA), in immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy, and in atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS). Narsoplimab can be administered both intravenously and subcutaneously, and Omeros expects to commercialize each formulation of narsoplimab for different therapeutic indications. In parallel, Omeros is developing small-molecule inhibitors of MASP-2. Based on requests from treating physicians, Omeros has established a compassionate-use program for narsoplimab, which is active in both the U.S. and Europe. The FDA has granted narsoplimab breakthrough therapy designation for IgA nephropathy and for HSCT-TMA, orphan drug status for the prevention (inhibition) of complement-mediated thrombotic microangiopathies, for the treatment of IgA nephropathy, for the treatment of HSCT-TMA, and fast track designation for the treatment of patients with aHUS. The European Medicines Agency has granted orphan drug designation to narsoplimab for treatment of primary IgA nephropathy and for treatment in HSCT.
Omeros also has identified MASP-3 as responsible for the conversion of pro-factor D to factor D and as a critical activator of the human complement system’s alternative pathway. The alternative pathway is linked to a wide range of immune-related disorders. In addition to its lectin pathway inhibitors, the company is advancing its development of antibodies and small-molecule inhibitors against MASP-3 to block activation of the alternative pathway. Omeros has initiated the manufacturing scale-up process of its MASP-3 antibodies in preparation for clinical trials.
About Omeros Corporation
Omeros is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to discovering, developing and commercializing small-molecule and protein therapeutics for large-market as well as orphan indications targeting inflammation, complement-mediated diseases and disorders of the central nervous system. The company’s drug product OMIDRIA (phenylephrine and ketorolac intraocular solution) 1% / 0.3% is marketed for use during cataract surgery or intraocular lens (IOL) replacement to maintain pupil size by preventing intraoperative miosis (pupil constriction) and to reduce postoperative ocular pain. In the European Union, the European Commission has approved OMIDRIA for use in cataract surgery and other IOL replacement procedures to maintain mydriasis (pupil dilation), prevent miosis (pupil constriction), and to reduce postoperative eye pain. Omeros has multiple Phase 3 and Phase 2 clinical-stage development programs focused on: complement-associated thrombotic microangiopathies; complement-mediated glomerulonephropathies; cognitive impairment; and addictive and compulsive disorders. In addition, Omeros has a diverse group of preclinical programs and a proprietary G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) platform through which it controls 54 new GPCR drug targets and corresponding compounds, a number of which are in preclinical development. The company also exclusively possesses a novel antibody-generating platform.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which are subject to the “safe harbor” created by those sections for such statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, which are often indicated by terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “goal,” “intend,” “likely”, “look forward to,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “prospects,” “should,” “slated,” “targeting,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions and variations thereof. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information available to management only as of the date of this press release. Omeros’ actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements for many reasons, including, without limitation, risks associated with product commercialization and commercial operations, unproven preclinical and clinical development activities, regulatory oversight, the ability for OMIDRIA to obtain separate reimbursement as part of CMS’ OPPS, intellectual property claims, competitive developments, litigation, and the risks, uncertainties and other factors described under the heading “Risk Factors” in the company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 8, 2018. Given these risks, uncertainties and other factors, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, and the company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.
