What Qlaris Bio does

Qlaris Bio is a clinical-stage biotechnology company founded in August 2019 and headquartered in Dedham, Massachusetts, developing first-in-class therapies for serious and debilitating ophthalmic diseases, with a primary focus on glaucoma. The company's lead asset, QLS-111, is a preservative-free topical eye-drop formulation that functions as an ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel modulator, lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) by selectively reducing episcleral venous pressure (EVP) — a component of IOP estimated to contribute approximately two-thirds of total pressure and one not addressed by any currently approved glaucoma medication. The underlying KATP channel modulator platform was discovered at Mayo Clinic by Professor Michael Fautsch, Ph.D., and is held under an exclusive worldwide license, with Mayo Clinic Ventures also serving as a financial investor.

Qlaris is advancing QLS-111 in Phase II/III development across multiple indications, including Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG), Ocular Hypertension (OHT), Normal Tension Glaucoma (NTG), and Sturge-Weber Syndrome-related glaucoma. In February 2025 the company reported positive Phase II topline data from the Osprey and Apteryx trials, demonstrating up to 3.7 mmHg IOP reduction as monotherapy and up to 3.6 mmHg additional reduction when combined with latanoprost, with a clean safety profile and no clinically meaningful hyperemia. In June 2025 Qlaris announced a fixed-dose combination program, QLS-111-FDC, pairing QLS-111 with latanoprost to capture complementary mechanisms (EVP reduction plus uveoscleral outflow enhancement). The earlier formulation QLS-101 has been superseded by QLS-111.

The business model is a traditional specialty-pharma commercialization path: Qlaris is currently pre-revenue, with no commercialized products, and plans to generate future revenue through prescription sales of QLS-111 and QLS-111-FDC distributed via specialty pharmacy channels to ophthalmologists and glaucoma specialists upon FDA approval. The company has raised approximately $49 million in total funding across a $25 million Series A (August 2019) and a $24 million Series B (April 2024), both co-led by Canaan and New Leaf Venture Partners, with participation from Correlation Ventures, Mayo Clinic Ventures, and (in the Series B) abrdn Inc. The organization is small (1–10 employees) but has recently been reinforced with seasoned late-stage and commercial ophthalmology leadership, including incoming CEO Fred Guerard (effective March 1, 2026) and board director Robert Warner (January 2026), both of whom bring Novartis and Alcon pedigree as the company transitions toward Phase III and pre-commercial readiness.

Name

Qlaris Bio

Legal name

Qlaris Bio, Inc.

Website

https://qlaris.bio

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Qlaris Bio is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing QLS-111, a first-in-class topical KATP channel modulator that lowers intraocular pressure by selectively targeting episcleral venous pressure in glaucoma patients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ophthalmic Pharmaceuticals

NAICS

Ophthalmic Goods Merchant Wholesalers (423460)

SIC

Ophthalmic Goods (3851)

akta.pro primary industry

Glaucoma Diagnostics & Surgical Devices (Tonometry, Gonioscopy, MIGS, Drainage Implants, Laser Trabeculoplasty) (HLAHAJAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Glaucoma Specialists (HLAKAKAG), Rare Ophthalmology Disorder Therapies (HLAIAIAK)

Keywords

• Glaucoma therapeutics
• Ophthalmic pharmaceuticals
• Intraocular pressure reduction
• KATP channel modulators
• Clinical-stage biotechnology

Headquarters

HQ city

Wellesley

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Pharmaceutical Product Sales: Qlaris Bio is a clinical-stage biotechnology company without current revenue. The company is developing QLS-111, a novel glaucoma therapy targeting episcleral venous pressure. Once approved, the company expects to generate revenue through prescription sales of QLS-111 and QLS-111-FDC in the ophthalmic pharmaceutical market.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Qlaris Bio is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing QLS-111, a preservative-free topical ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel modulator that lowers intraocular pressure (IOP) by selectively reducing episcleral venous pressure (EVP), a component of the Goldmann equation not addressed by any approved glaucoma therapy. The pipeline also includes QLS-111-FDC, a fixed-dose combination pairing QLS-111 with latanoprost for complementary dual-mechanism IOP reduction. Both candidates are targeted at primary open-angle glaucoma, ocular hypertension, normal tension glaucoma, and elevated IOP in rare diseases such as Sturge-Weber Syndrome.

Product overview

Qlaris Bio is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing first-in-class therapies for glaucoma and other ophthalmic diseases. The company's core product is QLS-111, a novel ATP-sensitive potassium channel modulator that uniquely targets episcleral venous pressure (EVP) - the only component of intraocular pressure not addressed by currently approved therapies. QLS-111 is a preservative-free topical eye-drop formulation currently in Phase II clinical trials. The company has also developed QLS-111-FDC, a fixed-dose combination of QLS-111 with latanoprost, targeting complementary mechanisms for enhanced IOP control. The earlier formulation QLS-101 has been superseded by the improved QLS-111. The company's platform is based on KATP channel modulators that affect the tone of vascular and vascular-like tissues to lower IOP.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• QLS-111 QLS-111 is a novel preservative-free topical ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel modulator eye-drop formulation that lowers intraocular pressure (IOP) by selectively reducing episcleral venous pressure (EVP). It relaxes vessels distal to the trabecular meshwork to reduce distal outflow resistance. It is being developed for patients with Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma, Ocular Hypertension, Normal Tension Glaucoma, and elevated IOP associated with rare diseases such as Sturge-Weber Syndrome. The candidate is currently in Phase II clinical development.
• QLS-111-FDC QLS-111-FDC is a preservative-free fixed-dose combination therapy pairing QLS-111 with latanoprost (the gold-standard prostaglandin analog). It pairs the novel EVP-targeting mechanism of QLS-111 with the uveoscleral outflow enhancement of latanoprost for complementary dual-mechanism IOP reduction. It is being developed for patients with Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma, Ocular Hypertension, and Normal Tension Glaucoma.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 3.7 mmHg mean IOP reduction from mean diurnal baseline IOP of 23.0 mmHg with QLS-111 0.015% QPM dosing in Phase II Osprey trial
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Mayo CliniccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMayo Clinic is the origin of QLS-111 technology, discovered by Professor Michael Fautsch, Ph.D. The collaboration includes an exclusive worldwide license for the ATP-sensitive potassium channel modulator platform technology. Mayo Clinic Ventures is also an investor in the company.
• Glaucoma Research FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlaucoma Research Foundation is listed as a collaborator on the Qlaris Bio website, supporting the company's mission to preserve vision and prevent blindness through innovative glaucoma research.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Aerie Pharmaceuticals: Developed Rhopressa (netarsudil) and Rocklatan, novel IOP-lowering therapies for glaucoma, including a first-in-class Rho kinase inhibitor targeting the trabecular outflow pathway. Closely comparable to Qlaris as a small-molecule innovator building a differentiated glaucoma franchise; acquired by Alcon in 2022.
• Nicox: Clinical and commercial ophthalmology company developing novel IOP-lowering therapies (e.g., NCX 470, a prostaglandin analog). Comparable to Qlaris as a small-cap, ophthalmology-focused company pursuing differentiated mechanisms in the glaucoma space.
• Inotek Pharmaceuticals: Developed trabodenoson, an adenosine A1 receptor agonist for IOP lowering in glaucoma, advancing through Phase II/III before being acquired. Comparable to Qlaris as a clinical-stage developer of a first-in-class mechanism targeting an under-addressed component of IOP.

Broad incumbents

• Bausch + Lomb: Major ophthalmic pharmaceutical and device company with a broad glaucoma portfolio including Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod), a novel nitric-oxide-donating PGA. Comparable to Qlaris as an established glaucoma player, but operating at much larger scale across the full eye-care category.
• Alcon: Global leader in eye care and former Novartis ophthalmology franchise; markets a deep portfolio of prostaglandin analogs (e.g., Travatan) and surgical glaucoma devices. Comparable to Qlaris as the dominant incumbent Qlaris would need to compete against at launch.
• AbbVie (Allergan Aesthetics / Eye Care): Owns the Lumigan (bimatoprost) franchise and other legacy Allergan glaucoma assets, and is one of the largest commercial ophthalmology players globally. Comparable as the entrenched standard-of-care incumbent Qlaris's EVP-targeting therapy would compete against.
• Santen Pharmaceutical: Japanese specialty ophthalmology company with a significant global glaucoma and dry-eye portfolio, including Tapcom (tafluprost/timolol) and other IOP-lowering products. Comparable to Qlaris as a glaucoma-focused pharmaceutical company, though at much greater scale.

Emerging players

• Kala Bio: Clinical-stage ophthalmic biotechnology company developing novel therapies for ocular surface and rare eye diseases. Comparable to Qlaris as a small, clinical-stage biotech operating in ophthalmology, though focused on front-of-eye indications.
• Ocular Therapeutix: Clinical and commercial-stage ophthalmology company developing drug-eluting intracanalicular inserts and sustained-release therapies for glaucoma and other eye diseases. Comparable to Qlaris as a smaller, ophthalmology-focused innovator targeting novel IOP-lowering modalities.
• Opthea: Clinical-stage ophthalmology company developing novel therapies for retinal diseases, including OPT-302 for wet AMD. Comparable to Qlaris as a small, ophthalmology-focused biotech that was previously led by incoming Qlaris CEO Fred Guerard, signaling closely overlapping investor and operator networks.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/qlaris-bio-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors5 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Qlaris Bio