Omeros Surges 150% on $2.1 Billion Deal with Novo Nordisk for Rare Disease Treatment

Omeros Corporation's stock surged 150% to a 10-month high after Novo Nordisk agreed to pay up to $2.1 billion for the exclusive global rights to develop and commercialize zaltenibart, a treatment for rare blood and kidney diseases. Zaltenibart works by blocking MASP-3, a protein that activates the body's complement system, offering a novel mechanism of action. The deal includes a $340 million upfront payment and potential development and commercial milestones, according to a GlobeNewswire release.

Omeros Corporation's stock surged 150% to a 10-month high following Novo Nordisk's agreement to pay up to $2.1 billion for exclusive global rights to develop and commercialize zaltenibart. Zaltenibart, an investigational humanized monoclonal antibody, targets MASP-3, a protein that activates the body's complement system. The deal includes a $340 million upfront payment and potential development and commercial milestones, totaling up to $2.1 billion.

Zaltenibart has shown promise in treating rare blood and kidney disorders, including paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) and C3 glomerulopathy. The antibody has demonstrated multiple potential advantages over other alternative pathway inhibitors, with a well-tolerated safety profile across clinical trials. Novo Nordisk aims to initiate a global phase 3 program for zaltenibart in PNH and explore further development in other rare blood and kidney disorders, according to the GlobeNewswire release.

This acquisition aligns with Novo Nordisk's strategy to enhance its Rare Disease portfolio and drive growth in this business area. The company's heritage in diabetes and extensive expertise in therapeutic innovation position it well to maximize the value of zaltenibart. Omeros, in turn, remains focused on securing approval and commercialization of narsoplimab and advancing its robust development pipeline, the release adds.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025. Omeros retains certain rights to its preclinical MASP-3 programs unrelated to zaltenibart, the announcement notes.