Omeros expands pipeline and research capabilities

SEATTLE—Omeros Corp., a Seattle-based biopharmaceutical compa­ny, has announced the acquisition of Nura Inc., a company develop­ing treatments for pain and other central nervous system disor­ders, including schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease.

As part of the transaction, the venture firms ARCH Venture Partners, Aravis Venture and Novartis Venture Funds made a substantial investment in Omeros. The acquisition expands and enhances the research capabilities and development of current and future products for Omeros, which is advancing a pipeline of pharma­ceuticals and delivery systems for use in orthopedics, rheumatology, urology, cardiovascular medicine, general surgery and pain manage­ment.

"We acquired Nura for its sci­entists and its technologies, adding a world-class discovery-research engine to our later-stage programs and greater depth to our pipeline," says Dr. Gregory Demopulos, chairman and CEO of Omeros. "Omeros' focus has spanned both the peripheral and central nervous systems, and the Nura programs are an exciting and solid fit. In addi­tion, ARCH, Aravis, Novartis and Vulcan Capital further strengthen our shareholder base."

Demopulos also noted that Jean-Philippe Tripet, managing part­ner of Aravis Venture, will join Omeros' board of directors.

Co-founded in 2003, Nura was a privately held company estab­lished for the purpose of discover­ing and developing pharmaceu­ticals for neurodegenerative and behavioral disorders.

"This acquisition benefits both companies," says Dr. Patrick Gray, president and CEO of Nura. "Nura's validated technologies address multibillion-dollar mar­kets, and Omeros' resources will accelerate their development and commercialization."