Omeros

A discovery by researchers at the University of Leicester led to the identification of mannan-binding lectin-associated serine protease-2 (MASP-2), a novel pro-inflammatory protein target in the complement system. Omeros holds worldwide exclusive licenses to rights related to MASP-2, the antibodies targeting MASP-2 and the therapeutic applications for those antibodies from the University of Leicester and from its collaborator, Medical Research Council at Oxford University.

MASP-2 is a key protein involved in activation of the complement system, which is a critical component of the immune system. The complement system plays a role in the inflammatory response and becomes activated as a result of tissue damage (e.g., trauma) or infection by microbial pathogens. MASP-2 appears to be unique to, and required for the function of, one of the principal complement activation pathways, known as the lectin pathway. Importantly, inhibition of MASP-2 does not appear to interfere with the antibody-dependent classical complement activation pathway, a central component of the acquired immune response to infection. If the classical pathway is caused to function abnormally, a wide range of autoimmune disorders can result.

Our preclinical data suggest that MASP-2 plays a significant role in macular degeneration, ischemia-reperfusion injury associated with myocardial infarction, gastrointestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury, transplant surgery and renal disease, and we have generated several fully human, high-affinity, blocking antibodies to MASP-2.

Patent Position

Omeros exclusively controls five pending U.S. Patent Applications and 21 pending patent applications in key foreign markets related to the MASP-2 program.

There is a growing recognition of complement-mediated tissue injury as a factor in the pathology of numerous diseases. Our complement technology provides Omeros the opportunity to be a leader in the development of first-in-class products for the treatment of a wide range of acute and chronic inflammatory disease states and autoimmune disorders. According to the NIH, 1.75 million people in the U.S. have wet AMD, and the American Heart Association reported that there were approximately 7.2 million inpatient cardiovascular operations and procedures performed in the U.S. in 2006.