Candidates were licensed from The Regents of the University of California.
Omeros obtained an exclusive license from The Regents of the University of California to a new series of antifibrinolytic agents. The company says that it has begun IND-enabling studies.
Omeros’ series of antifibrinolytic agents for the control of blood loss during surgery or resulting from trauma are designed to selectively inhibit plasmin, the enzyme responsible for fibrinolysis and dissolving blood clots. They are also designed to avoid significant inhibition of Factor XIa and kallikrein, important regulators of the coagulation cascade that were found to be inhibited by Trasylol, a product that was pulled from the market in 2008.
Omeros believes that its agents could provide a superior replacement for this antifibrinolytic as well as tranexamic acid (TXA) and epsilon aminocaproic acid (EACA). TXA and EACA are lysine analogs that function as competitive inhibitors of plasminogen activation and, at much higher concentrations, noncompetitive inhibitors of plasmin. These agents are considered to be safer but less effective than Trasylol.
Omeros says that its agents may provide more effective bleeding control with fewer side effects. Additionally, while Trasylol was a bovine protein derivative, the firm’s candidates are human protein derivatives and thus expected to reduce the potential for immunological side effects.
“This is a good opportunity for Omeros and represents a potential life-saving treatment for patients,” states Gregory A. Demopulos, M.D., chairman and CEO of Omeros. “With the withdrawal of Trasylol from the market in 2008, there is an immediate need for a safe and effective antifibrinolytic. The ex vivo human and in vivo animal efficacy data look strong, and the regulatory pathway is well-defined.”
