Aerie Pharmaceuticals

What Aerie Pharmaceuticals does

Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a specialty ophthalmic pharmaceutical company founded in 2005 and headquartered in Bedminster, New Jersey, that develops and commercializes therapeutics for glaucoma, ocular hypertension, and related ocular surface conditions. Its product platform is built on a proprietary Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitor chemistry centered on the active moiety netarsudil, which is commercialized as Rhopressa (netarsudil ophthalmic solution) 0.02% and as Rocklatan (netarsudil and latanoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.02%/0.005%, a fixed-dose combination with latanoprost. The clinical-stage pipeline includes AR-15512, a Phase 3 product candidate for dry eye disease, alongside additional ophthalmic pharmaceutical programs advancing through Phase 3 trials.

Aerie generates revenue primarily through prescription product sales of Rocklatan and Rhopressa to Eye Care Professionals (ophthalmologists and optometrists) and their patients, operating a sales-led commercial model historically supplemented by distribution through U.S. ophthalmic channels. Following Alcon's acquisition of Aerie on November 22, 2022 for approximately $930 million in debt-funded cash, the products and pipeline are distributed through Alcon's global commercial infrastructure spanning 140+ countries and more than 260 million patients annually. The business is funded in part by a $125 million convertible note financing commitment from Deerfield Management announced in October 2024 to advance Phase 3 glaucoma clinical development and support strategic growth.

The company was previously publicly traded on NASDAQ under the ticker AERI and is now an indirectly held subsidiary of Alcon Inc. (SIX/NYSE: ALC), with no public reporting as a standalone entity post-integration. Aerie's go-to-market relies on professional outreach and education to Eye Care Professionals, leveraging Alcon's commercial and market access capabilities. Beyond the core ROCK inhibitor franchise, the development pipeline and the AVX Pharma acquisition (November 2019, undisclosed consideration) indicate a strategy of expanding the ophthalmic product portfolio through both internal R&D and targeted transactions.

Name

Aerie Pharmaceuticals

Legal name

Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Website

https://aeriepharma.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Aerie Pharmaceuticals is a specialty ophthalmic pharmaceutical company developing and commercializing Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitor-based therapies — Rhopressa and Rocklatan — for glaucoma and ocular hypertension, with a Phase 3 dry eye candidate, now operating as an indirectly held subsidiary of Alcon following its 2022 acquisition.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ophthalmic Pharmaceuticals

NAICS

Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing (339115)

SIC

Ophthalmic Goods (3851), Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)

akta.pro primary industry

Ophthalmology Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Ophthalmology Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAK), Eye, Ear & Nasal Care (HLAIADAF)

Keywords

• Ophthalmic pharmaceuticals
• Glaucoma therapeutics
• ROCK inhibitors
• Prescription eye drops
• Intraocular pressure reduction

Headquarters

HQ city

Bedminster

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Commercial product sales: Revenue from sale of approved ophthalmic pharmaceutical products Rocklatan and Rhopressa through Alcon's commercial channels following the November 2022 acquisition. Includes prescription pharmaceutical sales to eye care professionals and their patients.
2. Convertible debt financing: $125 million financing commitment from Deerfield Management in October 2024, structured as notes that accrue interest and are convertible at a premium, funding clinical development and strategic growth initiatives.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Aerie Pharmaceuticals develops and commercializes prescription ophthalmic pharmaceutical products for the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Its commercial portfolio centers on Rocklatan (netarsudil and latanoprost ophthalmic solution 0.02%/0.005%) and Rhopressa (netarsudil ophthalmic solution 0.02%), both based on a proprietary Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitor platform. Aerie also advances a Phase 3 dry eye disease candidate, AR-15512, and additional ophthalmic product candidates in its pipeline.

Product overview

Aerie Pharmaceuticals operated as a specialty ophthalmic pharmaceutical company built around a focused portfolio of commercial glaucoma products — Rocklatan (netarsudil and latanoprost ophthalmic solution 0.02%/0.005%) and Rhopressa (netarsudil ophthalmic solution 0.02%) — alongside a development pipeline that included the Phase 3 dry eye disease candidate AR-15512 and additional ophthalmic pharmaceutical product candidates. In November 2022, Alcon completed its acquisition of Aerie for approximately $930 million and fully integrated Aerie's commercial products, R&D capabilities, and pipeline into Alcon's ophthalmic pharmaceutical business, strengthening Alcon's presence in the $20 billion global ophthalmic pharmaceutical category.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Rocklatan: Netarsudil and latanoprost ophthalmic solution 0.02%/0.005%; commercial ophthalmic product for glaucoma acquired by Alcon as part of the Aerie acquisition.
• Rhopressa

Products and services

• Rocklatan (netarsudil and latanoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.02%/0.005% Fixed-dose combination ophthalmic solution containing netarsudil 0.02% and latanoprost 0.005%, indicated for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. It is sold to Eye Care Professionals who prescribe it for their patients.
• Rhopressa (netarsudil ophthalmic solution) 0.02% Netarsudil 0.02% ophthalmic solution, a Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitor indicated for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. It is sold to Eye Care Professionals who prescribe it for their patients.
• AR-15512 Phase 3 ophthalmic product candidate being developed for the treatment of dry eye disease. It is being advanced as part of Aerie/Alcon's ophthalmic pharmaceutical pipeline for Eye Care Professionals and their patients.
• Ophthalmic pharmaceutical product candidate pipeline Portfolio of ophthalmic pharmaceutical product candidates under development, including multiple Phase 3 clinical programs for glaucoma therapies, intended to provide future pipeline opportunities within the Alcon ophthalmic pharmaceutical franchise.

Quantifiable outcome

• $930 million total purchase consideration paid by Alcon in the acquisition of Aerie Pharmaceuticals
• +2 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Alcon Inc.flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 November 2022Alcon completed the acquisition of Aerie Pharmaceuticals in November 2022 for approximately $930 million in total purchase consideration, funded with debt. Through the transaction, Aerie's commercial products Rocklatan and Rhopressa, Phase 3 candidate AR-15512, and ophthalmic R&D capabilities became part of Alcon's ophthalmic pharmaceutical business. Alcon intends to fully integrate Aerie into its business.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Bausch + Lomb: Global ophthalmology company with a broad portfolio spanning pharmaceuticals, surgical, and vision care. Competes with Aerie in the glaucoma pharmaceutical market and offers comparable prescription eye drops, making it a broad incumbent peer across Aerie's therapeutic categories.
• AbbVie (Allergan Aesthetics/eye care): Pharmaceutical major with a significant ophthalmology franchise inherited from Allergan, including Lumigan and Alphagan for glaucoma. Competes head-to-head with Aerie's ROCK inhibitor portfolio in the glaucoma pharmaceutical category and operates at broader scale.
• Novartis Pharmaceuticals: Global pharmaceutical company with an ophthalmology franchise including Simbrinza and prior ownership of products now within Alcon. Comparable as a broad incumbent in the same glaucoma therapeutic category where Aerie's Rocklatan competes.
• Alcon Inc. Global leader in eye care with the broadest ophthalmic portfolio spanning surgical, vision care, and pharmaceuticals. Acquired Aerie Pharmaceuticals in November 2022 for ~$930M and now owns Aerie's commercial products and pipeline, serving as both parent company and broad incumbent peer in ophthalmic pharmaceuticals.

Direct peers

• Santen Pharmaceutical: Japan-based specialty ophthalmic pharmaceutical company focused on glaucoma, dry eye, and other ocular diseases. Directly comparable to Aerie's commercial glaucoma franchise (Rhopressa, Rocklatan) and dry eye pipeline (AR-15512) with similar target customers (Eye Care Professionals) and product categories.

Emerging players

• Ocular Therapeutix: Clinical and commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company developing ophthalmic therapeutics including products for glaucoma and ocular surface diseases. Comparable as a focused ophthalmic pharmaceutical peer with overlapping therapeutic categories (glaucoma, dry eye) and similar customer base of Eye Care Professionals.
• EyePoint Pharmaceuticals: Specialty pharmaceutical company developing sustained-release ophthalmic therapeutics including for glaucoma and retinal diseases. Comparable as an emerging ophthalmic pharmaceutical peer targeting the same Eye Care Professional customer base and overlapping therapeutic indications.
• Nicox SA: European ophthalmic pharmaceutical company focused on glaucoma and ocular surface diseases, with commercial products including Vyzulta. Directly comparable as a specialty ophthalmic pharma peer competing in the same glaucoma pharmaceutical space as Aerie's Rhopressa and Rocklatan.
• Glaukos Corporation: Ophthalmic medical technology and pharmaceutical company developing interventional glaucoma therapies (MIGS devices) and pharmaceutical treatments. Comparable as a glaucoma-focused peer addressing the same disease state with complementary technology approaches, targeting Eye Care Professionals.
• Kala Pharmaceuticals: Ophthalmic pharmaceutical company developing therapies for ocular surface diseases; previously owned Eysuvis and Inveltys (now Alcon). Comparable as a specialty ophthalmic pharma peer with overlapping therapeutic focus on ocular surface disease, adjacent to Aerie's dry eye pipeline candidate AR-15512.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/aeriepharma

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles24 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds11 records

Investors7 records

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

M&A1 record

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Aerie Pharmaceuticals