Novo Nordisk Acquires Zaltenibart Rights from Omeros for $2.1 Billion

Bagsværd, Denmark and Seattle, US – Novo Nordisk and Omeros Corporation announced today that they have finalized an asset purchase and license agreement for zaltenibart, a candidate drug in clinical development for rare blood and kidney disorders. The agreement grants Novo Nordisk exclusive global rights to develop and commercialize zaltenibart across all indications.

Under the terms, Omeros may receive up to $2.1 billion, including $340 million in upfront and near-term milestone payments, as well as tiered royalties on net sales. Martin Holst Lange, chief scientific officer at Novo Nordisk, noted, “Zaltenibart has a novel mode of action that could offer several advantages over other treatments for complement-mediated diseases.”

Zaltenibart, which was previously known as OMS906, is designed to target MASP-3, a protein crucial to the complement system, which plays a significant role in immune regulation. Dysregulation of this system is involved in various rare diseases. Omeros has reported promising phase 2 data for zaltenibart in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), a rare blood disorder.

Gregory A. Demopulos, CEO of Omeros, expressed satisfaction with the deal, stating, “We are pleased to enter into this agreement with Novo Nordisk, a global leader in therapeutic innovation.” Omeros intends to focus on securing approval for its other product, narsoplimab, while Novo Nordisk aims to begin a global phase 3 program for zaltenibart in PNH.

The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025, subject to regulatory approvals. This acquisition will enhance Novo Nordisk’s Rare Disease portfolio and gives Omeros the opportunity to retain rights to its unrelated preclinical MASP-3 programs.