Novo Nordisk Seals $2.1 Billion Licensing Deal with Omeros to Expand Rare Disease Portfolio

Copenhagen: Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk has entered a landmark licensing agreement with U.S.-based biotech firm Omeros Corporation, valued at up to $2.1 billion, signaling a strategic push into the rare disease sector. The deal grants Novo Nordisk exclusive global rights to Omeros’ experimental drug zaltenibart, marking a significant diversification beyond the company’s traditional focus on diabetes and obesity therapies.

Under the terms of the agreement, Novo Nordisk will make an upfront payment of $340 million, accompanied by additional milestone-based payments that could bring the total value to $2.1 billion. Zaltenibart, a MASP-3 inhibitor targeting the alternative complement pathway, is currently in late-stage clinical trials for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PN