GPCRs, which mediate key physiological processes in the body, are one of the most valuable families of drug targets.
Omeros has begun screening orphan GPCRs against its small-molecule chemical libraries using a proprietary, high-throughput assay.
As per the terms of the respective agreements with Vulcan and LSDF, Omeros has agreed to pay to Vulcan and LSDF a tiered percentage of net proceeds received by Omeros from its GPCR program.
Net proceeds include profits from specified partnership arrangements and product sales, net of all research, development and associated commercialization expenses.
Vulcan managing director Steve Hall said that they are impressed with Omeros’ team and the technology that it has assembled for its GPCR platform.
"Omeros has already demonstrated the capability to identify compounds that interact with orphan GPCRs, providing the company multiple opportunities to capitalise on its platform," Hall said.
Omeros chairman and CEO Gregory Demopulos said this funding allows Omeros to accelerate efforts to screen all human orphan GPCRs in high throughput.
Omeros believes that there may be more than 65 new drugable targets among the orphan GPCRs. Unlocking these receptors could lead to the development of drugs that act at these new targets.
There is a broad range of indications linked to orphan GPCRs including cardiovascular disease, asthma, diabetes, pain, obesity, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia, learning and cognitive disorders, autism, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and several forms of cancer.