Omeros (OMER) Announces Preliminary Data on MASP-3 Inhibitor

 | Jun 10, 2021 03:53AM ET

Commercial-stage biopharmaceutical Omeros (NASDAQ:OMER) Corporation OMER announced encouraging preliminary results from an early-stage study of its MASP-3 inhibitor, OMS906.

The ongoing phase I study is designed as a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of intravenous (IV) and subcutaneous (SC) administration of OMS906 in healthy adult volunteers.

The phase I study design consists of both single- and multiple-ascending dose cohorts. OMS906, administered up to 5 mg/kg, was well tolerated at all IV and SC doses tested with no apparent safety signals. Single 3 mg/kg IV dose of OMS906 suppresses mature CFD below minimum detectable levels for 4 weeks. The single lowest SC dose of OMS906 suppresses mature CFD at or below minimum detectable levels for 4 weeks.

The dose-dependent PK/PD profile across all cohorts is favorable and supports low-dose, once-monthly or less frequent subcutaneous dosing.

We note that the study is ongoing with additional single- and multiple-dose cohorts to determine the pharmacologic dose range and optimal frequency for subcutaneous administration.

Omeros’ MASP-3 inhibitor program includes potent molecules selectively inhibiting mannan-binding lectin-associated serine protease-3 (MASP-3), the protein activator of the alternative pathway of complement (APC).

The preliminary data validate the function of MASP-3 — the key activator of the alternative pathway — as a regulator of CFD and support the potential of OMS906 as a safe and long-acting therapeutic for the treatment of alternative pathway-related diseases and disorders. The company intends to advance to a phase II study as soon as possible.

The development of the candidate will strengthen Omeros’ pipeline. The stock has increased 12.1% so far this year compared with the industry ’s gain of 1.1%.