Glaukos Corporation’s recent breakthrough in the field of ophthalmology is extremely promising in the context of treating ocular hypertension and open-angle glaucoma. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently approved Glaukos’ drug-releasing implant, iDose®TR, which is designed to reduce intraocular pressure, a big factor in these conditions. This innovative implant, approved for single administration per eye, may revolutionize patient care in ophthalmology. The iDose®TR implant continuously delivers a formulation of travoprost, an established treatment for high eye pressure, directly into the eye. This method presents an improvement over traditional eye drops, offering patients a more consistent and reliable treatment regimen. The implant addresses the common issue of noncompliance with treatment regimens, another relevant factor in the management of glaucoma.
Although Glaukos faced a setback with the FDA’s decision not to approve repeat dosing of the implant, the company remains committed to working towards amending this aspect of the label. The current wholesale acquisition cost (WAC) of the implant is set at $13,950 per dose, higher than initial estimates by analysts, who projected a price range of $3,000 to $5,000 per implant.Glaukos anticipates generating substantial revenue from its portfolio of eye disease products, including the iDose®TR implant. The company has invested years in developing this product, backed by promising results from phase 2b and phase 3 studies. The implant, anchored into a part of the eye, gradually releases travoprost to provide continuous treatment for high ocular pressure for up to three years.
The approval of iDose®TR has been met with enthusiasm from the medical community and investors alike, evidenced by a rise in Glaukos’ share price following the announcement. Industry analysts have expressed confidence in the implant’s potential to become the company’s most successful product, citing its unique approach to treating glaucoma. Despite the restriction on re-administration, Glaukos’ CEO, Tom Burns, conveyed optimism about the future prospects of the implant. He emphasized the company’s ongoing efforts to enhance reimplantation capabilities, and noted the ample time available to achieve this goal, given the implant’s duration of effectiveness.The FDA’s approval of iDose®TR is based on robust clinical data from two pivotal Phase 3 studies, which involved over 1,150 subjects across 89 clinical sites. The trials demonstrated the implant’s effectiveness and safety, with reductions in intraocular pressure and a high rate of patient retention. The most common adverse reactions were mild and transient, including increases in intraocular pressure, iritis, dry eye, and visual field defects. As part of its commitment to advancing eye care, Glaukos has also introduced the iDose Your Dose Initiative. This initiative pledges to match each iDose®TR unit sold with an equal number of units for charitable donation, aiming to extend the benefits of this treatment to a broader patient base.
Glaukos will begin commercial launch activities for iDose®TR in early 2024. The company has reaffirmed its revenue projections for 2023 and provided preliminary guidance for 2024. This FDA approval signifies a milestone for Glaukos , and represents a positive shift in the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension, offering hope to patients and practitioners in managing these challenging conditions.
