Benzinga | Oct 16, 2020 08:33AM EDT

Omeros Highlights Presentation Of OMS906 Data At Complement-Based Drug Development Summit

Omeros Corporation (NASDAQ:OMER) presented data from its OMS906 program yesterday at the 4th Complement-based Drug Development Summit. OMS906 is the company's lead human monoclonal antibody targeting mannan-binding lectin-associated serine protease-3 (MASP-3), the key activator of the complement system's alternative pathway. The presentation about the inhibition of the alternative pathway by targeting MASP-3 was made by Jason Cummings, Ph.D., Omeros' Associate Director for Research. Dr. Cummings' slide presentation can be viewed at https://investor.omeros.com/presentations.

Believed to be the premier target in the alternative pathway, MASP-3 is responsible for the conversion of pro-complement factor D to mature complement factor D (CFD), and OMS906 is designed to block that conversion. The presentation included data demonstrating that a single dose of OMS906 in an animal study demonstrated a decrease of mature CFD and an increase and accumulation in pro-CFD levels that remained detectable for more than three weeks. Data also showed that lowest levels of detectable mature CFD correlated with complete inactivation of the alternative pathway.

Omeros expects OMS906 to have broad application in conditions involving inflammation and tissue damage as well as disorders associated with dysregulation of the alternative pathway. Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is targeted as the initial indication, and OMS906 has shown greater potency compared to C5 and C3 inhibitors in PNH models. OMS906, by leaving intact the adaptive immune effector function of complement, is also expected to have a more favorable safety profile than C5 and C3 inhibitors.

The targeted OMS906 long-term dosing regimen is once monthly subcutaneous administration. A Phase 1, placebo-controlled, double-blind, single-ascending-dose and multiple-ascending-dose study of OMS906 began dosing subjects last month.