ALISO VIEJO, Calif., March 18 — Glaukos Corporation (NYSE: GKOS), an ophthalmic pharmaceutical and medical technology company focused on novel therapies for the treatment of glaucoma, corneal disorders, and retinal diseases, announced today the commercial availability of Epioxa™ HD / Epioxa™ (“Epioxa”), a groundbreaking advancement in corneal cross-linking for the treatment of keratoconus, a rare, sight-threatening corneal disease that is currently far too often undiagnosed and untreated. Epioxa is now commercially available for ordering directly from Glaukos or through its specialty pharmaceutical distribution network.
“We are delighted to announce that Epioxa is now commercially available, ushering in a new standard-of-care for patients suffering from keratoconus with the first FDA-approved topical drug therapy that does not require removal of the corneal epithelium,” said Thomas Burns, Glaukos chairman and chief executive officer. “Epioxa is designed to improve patient comfort and minimize recovery time, representing a game-changing new interventional keratoconus treatment for patients. Our teams have been diligently preparing for this launch and we are excited to bring this innovative therapy to market for patients.”
Epioxa represents a transformative advancement in interventional keratoconus care, offering an incision-free alternative to traditional corneal cross-linking procedures. The topical therapy, catalyzed by enriched oxygen and light, is designed to reduce the pain associated with epithelium removal, streamline the procedure, and minimize recovery, all while delivering clinically meaningful outcomes and exceptional value to patients, providers, and the healthcare system.
With this launch, Glaukos plans to substantially increase its investments in patient awareness, education, and access while addressing the longstanding challenges of underdiagnosis and undertreatment that have affected this rare disease patient community. These efforts will be focused on supporting patients across every step of the journey, from awareness to diagnosis through ongoing treatment. Key initiatives include streamlined patient access support programs, including a newly formed patient access liaison team, a co-pay assistance program to reduce financial barriers, a patient assistance program for the uninsured, and new awareness and detection campaigns aimed at earlier and more widespread screening for and diagnosis of the disease. Glaukos is proud to offer these robust programs as part of its unwavering commitment to patient care, accessibility, and support.
