Fera Pharmaceuticals
Fera Pharmaceuticals is a privately held U.S. specialty pharmaceutical company focused on preserving treatment options for orphan and niche medical conditions, primarily in ophthalmology. It commercializes Phospholine Iodide, the only commercially available AChE inhibitor in eyecare, alongside Avaclyr, Dexamethasone, and a development pipeline.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersLocust Valley, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Fera Pharmaceuticals does
Fera Pharmaceuticals is a privately held U.S. specialty pharmaceutical company headquartered in Locust Valley, New York, founded in 2009. Its stated mission is to preserve and expand treatment options for orphan and niche medical conditions, with a current commercial focus in ophthalmology. The company's flagship asset is Phospholine Iodide (echothiophate iodide for ophthalmic solution) 0.125%, acquired from Pfizer in August 2021 and officially launched in June 2022. Phospholine Iodide is positioned as the only commercially available acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor in eyecare, indicated for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) — including aphakic glaucoma in children and pseudophakic glaucoma in elderly patients — and for the diagnosis and treatment of accommodative esotropia. The product holds two FDA Orphan Drug Designations: for Stargardt Disease (April 2022) and for Naproxcinod for Sickle Cell Disease (March 2022).
Beyond Phospholine Iodide, the portfolio includes FDA-approved Avaclyr (acyclovir ophthalmic ointment, approved April 2019), Dexamethasone 4 mg tablets in unit-dose packaging (launched August 2020), and Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment distributed under an exclusive agreement with LSL Pharma Group (October 2023) to address a U.S. hospital drug shortage for newborn treatment. The pipeline reports four additional products: F-102 (early-stage orphan ophthalmic candidate), an ophthalmic antiviral (FDA-approved, launch pending), an ophthalmic corticosteroid (FDA-approved, launch pending), and an ophthalmic alpha-adrenergic blocking agent (FDA-approved, launch pending).
Fera operates a sales-led, distribution-partnered go-to-market motion. Phospholine Iodide reaches patients exclusively through Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy, which verifies insurance, administers the company's patient financial programs (commercial co-pay assistance capped at $100 per fill, a one-time 28-day QuickStart Program, and a Patient Assistance Program), coordinates overnight direct-to-patient delivery, and provides pharmacist consultation. Healthcare providers prescribe via fax referral form, e-prescribe, or direct phone call. The company also explicitly markets licensing, NDA/ANDA acquisition, and co-development opportunities to emerging pharma companies, framing itself as both a commercializer and a partner-of-choice for late-stage niche assets. Reporting lines are founder-led (Frank DellaFera, Founder & CEO) with Susan McDougal as EVP and Nicholas DellaFera handling licensing and partnership inquiries.
Fera Pharmaceuticals firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Fera Pharmaceuticals
- Legal name
- Fera Pharmaceuticals, LLC
- Website
- https://ferapharma.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Fera Pharmaceuticals is a privately held U.S. specialty pharmaceutical company focused on preserving treatment options for orphan and niche medical conditions, primarily in ophthalmology. It commercializes Phospholine Iodide, the only commercially available AChE inhibitor in eyecare, alongside Avaclyr, Dexamethasone, and a development pipeline.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Fera Pharmaceuticals industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialty Ophthalmic Pharmaceuticals
- NAICS
- Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing (339115), Ophthalmic Goods Merchant Wholesalers (423460)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Drugs, Proprietaries & Druggists' Sundries (5122)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Ophthalmology Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Ophthalmology Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAL), Rare Ophthalmology Disorder Therapies (HLAIAIAK)
Keywords
Where Fera Pharmaceuticals is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Locust Valley
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Fera Pharmaceuticals business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Personnel
Revenue model
- Pharmaceutical Product Sales: Revenue generated from sales of specialty ophthalmic pharmaceutical products including Phospholine Iodide and other pipeline products. Products are distributed through specialty pharmacy partnerships with patient support programs.
- Distribution and Licensing: Acquisition and licensing of pharmaceutical products and NDAs/ANDAs, with commercialization through distribution partnerships.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Monthly | Commercial Insurance Co-pay Assistance |
| Other | Multi-year contract | QuickStart Program |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Patient Assistance Program (PAP) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels3 records
Fera Pharmaceuticals product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Fera Pharmaceuticals is a specialty pharmaceutical company that develops, acquires, and commercializes ophthalmic prescription drugs, with its core product Phospholine Iodide (echothiophate iodide 0.125%) — the only commercially available AChE inhibitor in eyecare — indicated for reducing elevated intraocular pressure and treating accommodative esotropia. The company also markets Avaclyr, Dexamethasone 4 mg Tablets, and distributes Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment, with a pipeline targeting additional ophthalmic indications.
Product overview
Fera Pharmaceuticals is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on ophthalmology, committed to preserving and expanding quality treatment options for orphan and niche medical conditions. The company operates with a single-product launch strategy anchored by Phospholine Iodide (echothiophate iodide for ophthalmic solution), the only commercially available AChE inhibitor in eyecare, indicated for elevated intraocular pressure and accommodative esotropia. The product portfolio includes FDA-approved Avaclyr (acyclovir ophthalmic ointment) and Dexamethasone 4 mg Tablets. The company also distributes Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment for newborns via an exclusive agreement with LSL Pharma Group. The pipeline includes four products: Antiviral (FDA approved, orphan drug, launch pending), Corticosteroid (FDA approved, launch pending), Alpha-adrenergic blocking agent (FDA approved, launch pending), and F-102 (orphan drug, early development). Phospholine Iodide is distributed through Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy with patient support programs including co-pay assistance, QuickStart, and Patient Assistance Programs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- IOP decreased in 31 of 32 eyes in retrospective study of children with aphakic or pseudophakic glaucoma (mean baseline IOP decreased from 29.1 ± 5.3 mm Hg to 19.6 ± 6.7 mm Hg)
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Fera Pharmaceuticals
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Fera Pharmaceuticals technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Fera Pharmaceuticals partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- LSL Pharma GroupcoreExclusive distribution agreement with LSL Pharma Group to alleviate drug shortage in U.S. hospitals. Given the scarcity of Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment in the U.S., the FDA granted Fera temporary discretion to import this vital medication for treatment of newborns. LSL's subsidiary Steri-Med Pharma initially supplies up to 25% of the four million doses required annually in the U.S. hospital market.
- Walgreens Specialty PharmacycoreWalgreens Specialty Pharmacy serves as the primary specialty pharmacy partner for Phospholine Iodide distribution. The partnership includes insurance verification, administration of patient financial programs (co-pay assistance, QuickStart Program, Patient Assistance Program), coordinated overnight delivery direct to patients, and pharmacist consultation services. Healthcare providers can prescribe via fax referral form, e-prescribe, or phone.
- PfizermajorFera Pharmaceuticals completed an agreement with Pfizer in August 2021 to acquire Phospholine Iodide. This acquisition brought the only commercially available AChE Inhibitor in eyecare under Fera's portfolio, aligning with their mission to preserve and expand quality treatment options for orphan and niche medical conditions.
- Emerging Pharmaceutical R&D CompaniesminorFera offers commercialization and marketing support for emerging pharmaceutical research and development companies with promising late-stage product candidates, as well as product development partnerships with emphasis on reformulations, orphan drugs, and 505(b)2s.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Fera Pharmaceuticals competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Aerie Pharmaceuticals: Specialty ophthalmology pharmaceutical company focused on glaucoma and other eye diseases. Direct peer in the ophthalmic specialty pharma space with comparable size, focus on niche ophthalmic indications, and similar commercial model targeting ophthalmologists.
- Ocular Therapeutix: Specialty ophthalmic pharmaceutical company developing treatments for glaucoma, ocular surface disease, and rare eye conditions. Comparable in size and product strategy of targeting niche ophthalmology indications through specialty channels.
- Kala Pharmaceuticals: Specialty ophthalmic pharma focused on ocular surface diseases and rare eye conditions. Comparable in targeting niche ophthalmology indications with limited direct competition and specialty distribution models.
- Aldeyra Therapeutics: Clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing therapies for ocular and inflammatory diseases. Comparable in orphan/specialty ophthalmic focus and small-cap specialty pharma profile with niche disease strategy.
- Nicox Ophthalmic: European specialty ophthalmic pharmaceutical company focused on glaucoma and ocular surface diseases. Comparable in targeting niche ophthalmology indications with a small focused portfolio.
- Akorn Pharmaceuticals: Specialty pharmaceutical company with significant ophthalmic franchise including branded and generic ophthalmic products. Comparable in size, ophthalmic focus, and specialty distribution model.
Broad incumbents
- Santen Pharmaceutical: Global specialty ophthalmic pharmaceutical company with broad portfolio in glaucoma, dry eye, and other eye conditions. Comparable in ophthalmic specialty pharma focus but operates at significantly larger scale with international presence.
- Bausch + Lomb: Major ophthalmic company with broad portfolio spanning pharmaceuticals, surgical, and vision care. Operates Phospholine Iodide's prior market (glaucoma) at scale, making it the natural incumbent in Fera's addressable space.
- Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals: Specialty pharmaceutical company with focus on rare diseases, immunology, and hospital products. Comparable in specialty/rare disease pharma strategy and in addressing drug shortages for niche indications.
- Recordati Rare Diseases: European specialty pharmaceutical company with dedicated rare disease franchise. Comparable in mission to preserve and commercialize treatments for orphan and niche conditions, including ophthalmic rare diseases.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Fera Pharmaceuticals social profiles
Digital presenceFera Pharmaceuticals financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Fera Pharmaceuticals leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Fera Pharmaceuticals funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Fera Pharmaceuticals 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 Fera Pharmaceuticals
What does Fera Pharmaceuticals do?
Fera Pharmaceuticals is a specialty pharmaceutical company that develops, acquires, and commercializes ophthalmic prescription drugs, with its core product Phospholine Iodide (echothiophate iodide 0.125%) — the only commercially available AChE inhibitor in eyecare — indicated for reducing elevated intraocular pressure and treating accommodative esotropia. The company also markets Avaclyr, Dexamethasone 4 mg Tablets, and distributes Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment, with a pipeline targeting additional ophthalmic indications.
Is Fera Pharmaceuticals a public or private company?
Fera Pharmaceuticals is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Fera Pharmaceuticals founded?
Fera Pharmaceuticals was founded in 2009. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Fera Pharmaceuticals based?
Fera Pharmaceuticals is headquartered in Locust Valley, United States, in the North America region.
How does Fera Pharmaceuticals make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Pharmaceutical Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are distribution and Licensing.
Who are Fera Pharmaceuticals's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Ocular Therapeutix, Kala Pharmaceuticals, Aldeyra Therapeutics, Nicox Ophthalmic and Akorn Pharmaceuticals. Broad incumbents are Santen Pharmaceutical, Bausch + Lomb, Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals and Recordati Rare Diseases.
Does Fera Pharmaceuticals have an API?
No public API is recorded for Fera Pharmaceuticals.
What industry is Fera Pharmaceuticals in?
Fera Pharmaceuticals's product category is Specialty Ophthalmic Pharmaceuticals. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAIACAK, Ophthalmology Specialty Pharmaceuticals, with a secondary code of HLAIAAAL, Ophthalmology Pharmaceuticals. Its NAICS code is 339115 and its SIC code is 5122.