Novo Nordisk Gets New Complement System Approach to Rare Diseases With Deal for Omeros Drug

Novo Nordisk is paying $240 million for global rights to a Phase 3-ready drug from Omeros that could rival immune disorder medications currently available from companies such as AstraZeneca, Novartis, and Apellis Pharmaceuticals.

The deal brings to Novo Nordisk zaltenibart, an Omeros drug known in earlier stages of development as OMS906. Early this year, Seattle-based Omeros began preparations for pivotal clinical tests of the drug in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), a rare blood disorder. But in the spring, Omeros implemented what it told investors was a temporary pause until it secured the capital to fund the studies.

The agreement announced Wednesday provides Omeros cash to support the rest of its pipeline, which has another drug currently under regulatory review. Meanwh