Omeros Corporation announced two upcoming presentations on their investigational MASP-3 inhibitor, zaltenibart (OMS906), at the 66th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) in San Diego this December. The presentations will focus on zaltenibart’s potential in treating paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), a rare and life-threatening blood disorder. Phase 3 clinical trials for zaltenibart in PNH are anticipated to begin in early 2025. Both abstracts are currently accessible on the ASH website.
One presentation will detail interim results from a Phase 2 proof-of-concept study examining zaltenibart as a monotherapy for PNH patients with suboptimal responses to ravulizumab. This presentation will highlight how treatment with zaltenibart improved key hematological parameters in these patients. The other presentation will cover the population pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics and clinical pharmacology of zaltenibart in both healthy subjects and PNH patients. Both presentations will occur on Monday, December 9th, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the San Diego Convention Center. Presentation materials will be available on the Omeros website after the conference.
OMS906 targets mannan-binding lectin-associated serine protease-3 (MASP-3), the primary activator of the complement system’s alternative pathway. The complement system is crucial for innate immunity, playing a vital role in maintaining homeostasis and defending against pathogens. MASP-3 converts pro-complement factor D to complement factor D, making it a critical target within the alternative pathway. Its low circulating levels and clearance rate, compared to other alternative pathway proteins, make it an attractive target. Inhibiting MASP-3, unlike C5 and C3 blockers, preserves the classical pathway’s lytic arm, essential for combating infections. Furthermore, MASP-3 is not believed to be an acute phase reactant, a potential advantage for MASP-3 inhibitors like OMS906 over other alternative pathway inhibitors.
MASP-3 inhibitors are being explored for their potential in various diseases. These include PNH, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), atypical HUS, traumatic brain injury, arthritis, geographic atrophy (dry macular degeneration), ischemia-reperfusion injury, transplant complications, and other immune-related conditions.
Jon Napitupulu is Director of Media Relations at The Clinical Trial Vanguard. Jon, a computer data scientist, focuses on the latest clinical trial industry news and trends.
