Clearside Biomedical
Clearside Biomedical is a Delaware-based ophthalmic biopharmaceutical company that develops therapeutics delivered via its proprietary SCS Microinjector into the suprachoroidal space of the eye. It commercializes XIPERE through Bausch + Lomb and Arctic Vision and is now in Chapter 11 pursuing an asset sale.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersAlpharetta, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Clearside Biomedical does
Clearside Biomedical, Inc. is a Delaware-incorporated, ophthalmology-focused biopharmaceutical company that develops and commercializes therapeutics delivered into the suprachoroidal space (SCS) of the eye using its proprietary SCS Microinjector — the first and only FDA-approved device for this route of administration. The company's core technology is a 30-gauge microinjection platform that enables in-office, non-surgical, repeatable targeted drug delivery to the macula, retina, or choroid while compartmentalizing medication away from the vitreous and anterior chamber. Its first commercial product, XIPERE (triamcinolone acetonide injectable suspension), received FDA approval in October 2021 for the treatment of macular edema associated with uveitis and is commercialized by Bausch + Lomb in the United States and Canada and by Arctic Vision (as ARCATUS) across the Asia Pacific region. The pipeline is led by CLS-AX (axitinib injectable suspension), a pan-VEGF tyrosine kinase inhibitor that reported positive topline Phase 2b (ODYSSEY) results in October 2024 and is positioned as Phase 3-ready for wet AMD.
The business model is asset-light and partnership-driven: Clearside does not run a direct sales force and instead generates revenue through licensing royalties, upfront fees, and development and commercial milestone payments tied to its SCS platform and approved products. Strategic licensees include REGENXBIO (AAV gene therapy), Aura Biosciences (ocular oncology), and BioCryst Pharmaceuticals (diabetic macular edema). The company maintains ISO 13485:2016 certification for the SCS Microinjector device and holds a multi-patent portfolio with exclusivity extending into the mid-2030s. Headcount is reported at 11–50 employees and the company is headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia.
As of late 2025 the company is in financial distress: Clearside filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware on November 25, 2025, suspended Nasdaq trading on December 1, 2025 (subsequently trading on OTC Pink under CLSDQ), filed Form 25 to delist on December 8, 2025, and received court approval on December 19, 2025 for bidding procedures to conduct an asset sale auction, with Health Ocean Limited designated as the stalking horse bidder.
Clearside Biomedical firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Clearside Biomedical
- Legal name
- Clearside Biomedical, Inc.
- Website
- https://clearsidebio.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Closed
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Clearside Biomedical is a Delaware-based ophthalmic biopharmaceutical company that develops therapeutics delivered via its proprietary SCS Microinjector into the suprachoroidal space of the eye. It commercializes XIPERE through Bausch + Lomb and Arctic Vision and is now in Chapter 11 pursuing an asset sale.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Clearside Biomedical industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Ophthalmic Therapeutics
- NAICS
- Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing (339112), Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412), Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing (339115)
- SIC
- Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841), Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Ocular Drug Delivery Devices (Eye Droppers/Inserts) (HLAHAIAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Ophthalmology Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAK), Retina & Vitreous Specialists (HLAKAKAE)
Keywords
Where Clearside Biomedical is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Alpharetta
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Clearside Biomedical business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Product Sales (XIPERE): Revenue from commercial sales of XIPERE (triamcinolone acetonide injectable suspension) for suprachoroidal use, commercialized through Bausch + Lomb in the US and Canada
- License and Milestone Payments: Upfront fees, development and commercial milestones from licensing agreements with partners including REGENXBIO, Aura Biosciences, BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, and Arctic Vision
- Royalty Revenue: Ongoing royalties from commercialized products under licensing agreements, including XIPERE sales by commercial partners
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels1 record
Clearside Biomedical product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Clearside Biomedical develops the proprietary Suprachoroidal Space (SCS) injection platform centered on the SCS Microinjector, a 30G needle-based device enabling targeted, in-office, non-surgical drug delivery to the back of the eye. The company's commercialized product, XIPERE (triamcinolone acetonide injectable suspension), is the first and only FDA-approved therapy delivered into the suprachoroidal space and treats macular edema associated with uveitis. The pipeline includes CLS-AX, a Phase 3-ready axitinib suspension for wet age-related macular degeneration, and the platform is licensed to partners for additional indications including gene therapy and ocular cancers.
Product overview
Clearside Biomedical is a biopharmaceutical company that has developed the SCS (Suprachoroidal Space) injection platform, centered on the proprietary SCS Microinjector device. The platform enables targeted, compartmentalized drug delivery to the back of the eye through a non-surgical in-office procedure. The first approved product is XIPERE (triamcinolone acetonide injectable suspension), a corticosteroid for suprachoroidal use to treat macular edema associated with uveitis, which received FDA approval in October 2021 and is commercialized by Bausch + Lomb in the U.S. and Canada. The company is advancing CLS-AX (axitinib injectable suspension) through Phase 3 development for wet AMD. The technology platform is being leveraged through licensing collaborations with REGENXBIO (AAV gene therapy), Aura Biosciences (choroidal melanoma), BioCryst Pharmaceuticals (avoralstat for diabetic macular edema), and Arctic Vision (XIPERE in Asia Pacific).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- XIPERE: XIPERE (triamcinolone acetonide injectable suspension) for suprachoroidal use - FDA-approved therapeutic for the treatment of macular edema associated with uveitis
- ARCATUS
- SCS Microinjector
Products and services
- SCS Microinjector Proprietary microinjection device that enables in-office, repeatable, non-surgical targeted delivery of therapies to the suprachoroidal space using a 30G needle. Used by ophthalmologists and retinal specialists to administer drug to the macula, retina, or choroid while compartmentalizing medication away from non-target tissues. Licensed to biopharmaceutical partners (REGENXBIO, Aura Biosciences, BioCryst Pharmaceuticals) and used as the device constituent of approved products.
- XIPERE (triamcinolone acetonide injectable suspension) FDA-approved corticosteroid suspension (triamcinolone acetonide) delivered into the suprachoroidal space via the SCS Microinjector for the treatment of macular edema associated with uveitis. First and only FDA-approved therapy for suprachoroidal administration and first therapy indicated for this condition. Commercialized by Bausch + Lomb (US/Canada as XIPERE) and Arctic Vision (Greater China, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, India, ASEAN as ARCATUS).
- CLS-AX (axitinib injectable suspension) Proprietary suspension of axitinib, a potent pan-VEGF tyrosine kinase inhibitor, formulated for suprachoroidal administration via the SCS Microinjector. Developed for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration with the goal of extended injection-free durability compared to standard anti-VEGF intravitreal therapy.
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 6 months injection-free period with CLS-AX in wet AMD patients
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Clearside Biomedical
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Clearside Biomedical technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Clearside Biomedical partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Bausch + LombcoreExclusive license for commercialization and development of XIPERE in the United States and Canada. Bausch + Lomb received a permanent J-Code for the product to support reimbursement by commercial insurers and government payers.
- Arctic VisioncoreExclusive license for commercialization and development of XIPERE (marketed as ARCATUS) in Greater China, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, India, and ASEAN Countries.
- REGENXBIOcoreExclusive worldwide rights to SCS Microinjector for delivery of AAV-based gene therapy to the suprachoroidal space for treatment of wet AMD, diabetic retinopathy, and certain other conditions for which anti-VEGF treatment is standard of care.
- Aura BiosciencescoreWorldwide licensing agreement for use of SCS Microinjector to deliver proprietary drug candidates into the SCS for potential treatment of certain ocular cancers including choroidal melanoma.
- BioCryst PharmaceuticalscoreExclusive worldwide license to use SCS Microinjector for delivery of proprietary plasma kallikrein inhibitor avoralstat for the treatment and prevention of diabetic macular edema.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Clearside Biomedical competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- REGENXBIO: Clinical-stage gene therapy company that has an exclusive worldwide license with Clearside for use of the SCS Microinjector to deliver AAV-based gene therapies for wet AMD and diabetic retinopathy. Direct platform licensee and pipeline peer in retinal disease therapeutics.
- Aura Biosciences: Clinical-stage oncology company developing treatments for ocular cancers including choroidal melanoma using Clearside's SCS Microinjector for targeted suprachoroidal delivery. Shares the same delivery platform and complementary therapeutic focus area.
- BioCryst Pharmaceuticals: Commercial-stage rare disease company that has licensed Clearside's SCS Microinjector for delivery of avoralstat for diabetic macular edema. Platform licensee and therapeutic-area peer in ophthalmology drug delivery.
Broad incumbents
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals: Leading biopharmaceutical company marketing Eylea (aflibercept) and Eylea HD, the dominant anti-VEGF therapies for wet AMD. Established incumbent that competes directly with Clearside's pipeline in the retinal disease space.
- Genentech (Roche): Major biopharmaceutical company marketing Lucentis, Susvimo (port delivery system for ranibizumab), and Vabysmo for wet AMD and other retinal diseases. Incumbent standard-of-care competitor in the wet AMD market that CLS-AX targets.
- Bausch + Lomb (Bausch Health): Major ophthalmology-focused pharmaceutical and medical device company that holds exclusive US/Canada commercialization rights to Clearside's XIPERE. Functions as both partner and broader ophthalmology industry incumbent with overlapping retinal disease portfolio.
Regional players
- Arctic Vision: China-based ophthalmology company that holds exclusive Asia Pacific rights to Clearside's XIPERE (branded as ARCATUS). Platform licensee with a regional focus in Greater China, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, India, and ASEAN markets.
Direct peers
- Outlook Therapeutics: Clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing ONS-5010/LYTENAVA (bevacizumab-vikg) for wet AMD and other retinal indications. Direct therapeutic-area competitor targeting the same ophthalmology specialty physician audience as Clearside's CLS-AX.
- Adverum Biotechnologies: Gene therapy company developing ADVM-022 (icabtagene lentivector) for wet AMD using single-administration intravitreal injection. Competes with Clearside's SCS platform for dominance in long-duration retinal disease therapies.
- Kodiak Sciences: Clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics for retinal diseases including wet AMD, with its ABC Platform for sustained-release anti-VEGF delivery. Directly competes with Clearside's CLS-AX in targeting reduced injection frequency for wet AMD patients.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Clearside Biomedical social profiles
Digital presenceClearside Biomedical compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Clearside Biomedical financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Clearside Biomedical leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Clearside Biomedical funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds9 records
Investors12 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Clearside Biomedical M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Clearside Biomedical
What does Clearside Biomedical do?
Clearside Biomedical develops the proprietary Suprachoroidal Space (SCS) injection platform centered on the SCS Microinjector, a 30G needle-based device enabling targeted, in-office, non-surgical drug delivery to the back of the eye. The company's commercialized product, XIPERE (triamcinolone acetonide injectable suspension), is the first and only FDA-approved therapy delivered into the suprachoroidal space and treats macular edema associated with uveitis. The pipeline includes CLS-AX, a Phase 3-ready axitinib suspension for wet age-related macular degeneration, and the platform is licensed to partners for additional indications including gene therapy and ocular cancers.
Is Clearside Biomedical a public or private company?
Clearside Biomedical is a private company. It is classified as public and is currently closed.
When was Clearside Biomedical founded?
Clearside Biomedical was founded in 2011. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Clearside Biomedical based?
Clearside Biomedical is headquartered in Alpharetta, United States, in the North America region.
How does Clearside Biomedical make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Product Sales (XIPERE) is the primary driver. The others are license and Milestone Payments and royalty Revenue.
Who are Clearside Biomedical's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are REGENXBIO, Aura Biosciences and BioCryst Pharmaceuticals. Broad incumbents are Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Genentech (Roche) and Bausch + Lomb (Bausch Health). Arctic Vision is listed as a regional player. Direct peers are Outlook Therapeutics, Adverum Biotechnologies and Kodiak Sciences.
Does Clearside Biomedical have an API?
No public API is recorded for Clearside Biomedical.
What industry is Clearside Biomedical in?
Clearside Biomedical's product category is Ophthalmic Therapeutics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAHAIAL, Ocular Drug Delivery Devices (Eye Droppers/Inserts), with a secondary code of HLAIACAK, Ophthalmology Specialty Pharmaceuticals. Its NAICS code is 339112 and its SIC code is 3841.