Monotherapy Treatment with Zaltenibart (OMS906), an Alternative Pathway Masp-3 Inhibitor, Improved Key Hematologic Parameters in Patients with PNH with a Suboptimal Response to Ravulizumab: Interim Results from a Phase 2 Proof-of-Concept Study
Authors: Griffin Morag , Kelly Richard J. , Gavillet Mathilde , Muus Petra , Hoechsmann Britta , Cummings W. Jason , Efthimiou John , Pullman William , Schrezenmeier Hubert , Panse Jens 
Published: December 2024

Background: PNH is a life-threatening disorder driven by dysregulation of the complement system and characterized by hemolytic anemia. Untreated PNH can lead to debilitating anemia, thrombosis, fatigue, and increased mortality. Terminal complement inhibition attenuates intravascular hemolysis (IVH) but often induces extravascular hemolysis (EVH). Proximal and alternative pathway (AP) modulators are able to both block IVH and prevent EVH, as demonstrated by C3, Factor B, and Factor D inhibitors. Mannan-binding lectin-associated serine protease-3 (MASP-3) is an upstream activator of Factor D and regulator of the AP. Zaltenibart (OMS906) is a highly selective humanized mAb that binds to and inhibits MASP-3, providing proximal inhibition of the AP. Clinically, in PNH patients (pts) naïve to complement inhibitor treatment, zaltenibart monotherapy (mono) was well tolerated and normalized hemoglobin (Hb) and absolute reticulocyte count (ARC). We previously reported that zaltenibart used as adjunctive treatment with the C5 inhibitor ravulizumab (ravu) in the first phase of this study improved Hb and ARC in pts with PNH. Here we report interim results from the zaltenibart monotherapy phase.

Methods: This is an ongoing, single-arm, open-label, Phase 2 proof-of-concept clinical trial (NCT05972967) evaluating safety, PK/PD, and preliminary efficacy of zaltenibart in adult pts with PNH experiencing persistent anemia on ravu. Primary endpoints are safety and tolerability; secondary endpoints include change from baseline in Hb and ARC, number of transfusions, and PK/PD measures. Eligibility criteria include confirmed PNH diagnosis by flow cytometry (RBC and/or granulocyte clone size &gt;10%) and suboptimal response to ravu (baseline Hb &lt;10.5 g/dL despite 4 months of ravu). Pts continued ravu at weeks 0, 8, and 16 with concurrent zaltenibart dosing. Clinical responders (Hb increase ≥2.0 g/dL) to the combination at week 24 (study day d169) continued on 5 mg/kg IV Q8W zaltenibart monotherapy or treatment with both ravu and zaltenibart 5mg/kg. Here we report interim results for pts receiving ≥1 dose of zaltenibart monotherapy.

Results: Thirteen pts were initially enrolled (7 female, mean age 53.2 yr [range 23-80]); 1 discontinued due to a treatment-emergent serious adverse event (SAE) (elevated ALT and bilirubin). Six pts received RBC transfusions prior to treatment with zaltenibart. As of the interim data cut-off (July 8, 2024), 10/12 pts (83%) are on zaltenibart monotherapy. During the adjunctive phase, pts experienced rapid and sustained responses to zaltenibart with marked improvements in Hb from baseline (mean baseline=9.26 g/dL, mean increase=3.39 g/dL at d29 and 3.27 g/dL at d169; N=13). This response was sustained following initiation of zaltenibart monotherapy on d169 (mono dose #1): mean Hb was 13.31 g/dL at d197 (4 weeks post-mono dose #1; N=10) and 12.72 g/dL at d225 (pre-mono dose #2; N=10). Hb was 12.36 g/dL at d281 (pre-mono dose #3; N=7) and 12.77 g/dL at d309 (4 weeks post-mono dose #3; N=6), a 3.85 g/dL increase from initial study baseline (P=0.003). Five of these 6 pts (83.3%) achieved Hb &gt;12 g/dL and &gt;2 g/dL improvement. At d309, mean ARC decreased and normalized from baseline by -114 ×109/L to mean=112 ×109/L (N=6; P=0.003); all but 1 pt remained transfusion-free. Overall, zaltenibart was well tolerated. Treatment-related adverse events (AEs) were observed in 46.2% of pts and were mostly mild-moderate grade. Treatment-emergent AEs occurring in &gt;10% of pts were headache (53.9%), oropharyngeal pain (30.8%), fatigue, cough, and thrombocytopenia (all 23.1%), followed by COVID-19, nasopharyngitis, nasal congestion, cystitis, arthralgia, abdominal discomfort, and EVH (all 15.4%). There was one case of breakthrough hemolysis secondary to ear infection (SAE not related to treatment), which required a blood transfusion. No MAVEs, meningococcal infections, or deaths were reported.

Conclusion: MASP-3 inhibitor zaltenibart 5mg/kg IV Q8W monotherapy was well tolerated with no safety signals of concern in pts with PNH experiencing substantial EVH with ravu. Zaltenibart monotherapy resulted in sustained clinically meaningful improvements in Hb and ARC and prevented both IVH and EVH. Data from this interim analysis support the potential for zaltenibart as monotherapy for treating PNH in pts with suboptimal response to C5 inhibitors.