Omeros Corporation announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted rare pediatric disease designation to zaltenibart (OMS906) for the treatment of complement 3 glomerulopathy (C3G). This ultra-rare, progressive renal disorder primarily affects children and young adults and currently has no approved treatments. The designation aims to accelerate the development and review of therapies for rare pediatric diseases.
Zaltenibart is designed to inhibit mannan-binding lectin-associated serine protease-3 (MASP-3), a key activator of the alternative pathway of complement. By blocking MASP-3, zaltenibart prevents the conversion of pro-complement factor D (pro-CFD) to mature CFD, effectively halting the alternative pathway. C3G is caused by dysregulation of this pathway, often leading to end-stage renal disease within 10 years of diagnosis.
Clinical Development Plans
Omeros is preparing to initiate Phase 3 clinical trials for zaltenibart in C3G next year. Gregory A. Demopulos, chairman and CEO of Omeros, stated that the rare pediatric disease designation is a "welcome acknowledgment of zaltenibart as a potential therapeutic for this disease that has no approved treatment." The company is also conducting clinical studies of zaltenibart in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) and plans to begin Phase 3 trials for this indication later this quarter.
Regulatory and Market Context
The rare pediatric disease designation allows Omeros to receive a priority review voucher from the FDA upon approval of zaltenibart for C3G in the pediatric population. This voucher can be used to expedite the review of a New Drug Application (NDA) or Biologics License Application (BLA) for another product, potentially reducing review time by at least four months. The voucher can also be sold to another company.
Omeros has also received orphan drug designation from the FDA for zaltenibart in PNH. The PNH treatment market was valued at $3.9 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $10.1 billion in 2032.
Omeros' Broader Pipeline
Omeros is focused on developing small-molecule and protein therapeutics for immunologic disorders, including complement-mediated diseases and cancers, as well as addictive and compulsive disorders. Their lead MASP-2 inhibitor, narsoplimab, is under FDA review for the treatment of hematopoietic stem cell transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy. Additionally, Omeros is advancing OMS1029, a long-acting MASP-2 inhibitor, and OMS527, a phosphodiesterase 7 inhibitor for cocaine use disorder.
