Company Description
Glaukos Corporation (NYSE: GKOS) is an ophthalmic pharmaceutical and medical technology company that develops and commercializes novel therapies for the treatment of glaucoma, corneal disorders, and retinal diseases. According to the company’s public disclosures, Glaukos focuses on "dropless" platform technologies and long-duration treatments intended to advance the standard of care for patients living with chronic eye diseases.
Glaukos is incorporated in Delaware and its common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol GKOS. The company reports that it first developed Micro-Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) as an alternative to the traditional glaucoma treatment paradigm, launching its first MIGS device commercially in 2012. Over time, Glaukos has expanded from micro-scale surgical devices into intracameral implants and pharmaceutical therapies that are designed to deliver drug therapy inside the eye for extended periods.
Core glaucoma therapies and MIGS platform
Glaukos describes three primary commercialized micro-scale surgical device products designed to treat glaucoma: the iStent, the iStent inject W, and the iStent infinite. These devices are part of the company’s MIGS platform, which was developed as an alternative to more invasive glaucoma procedures. In addition, Glaukos has commenced commercialization activities for iDose TR, described as a first-of-its-kind, long-duration, intracameral procedural pharmaceutical implant designed to continuously deliver glaucoma drug therapy inside the eye for extended periods of time.
In its recent communications, the company highlights U.S. and international glaucoma net sales and emphasizes the role of iDose TR in its glaucoma franchise. Glaukos positions iDose TR as a long-duration prostaglandin analog implant that delivers 24/7 glaucoma drug therapy within the eye following intracameral administration.
Corneal health and keratoconus therapies
Beyond glaucoma, Glaukos is active in corneal health. The company reports that it markets the only FDA-approved corneal cross-linking therapy utilizing a proprietary bio-activated pharmaceutical for the treatment of keratoconus, a rarely diagnosed corneal disorder. This first-generation corneal cross-linking therapy, known as Photrexa Viscous / Photrexa, received U.S. FDA approval as an orphan drug for the treatment of keratoconus and has been supported by numerous peer-reviewed publications.
Glaukos also announced U.S. FDA approval of Epioxa HD / Epioxa (collectively referred to as Epioxa), which it describes as the first and only FDA-approved, incision-free, topical drug therapy for keratoconus. Epioxa is characterized as an epithelium-on corneal collagen cross-linking therapy that does not require removal of the corneal epithelium. It is described as an oxygen-enriched topical therapeutic that is bioactivated by UV light and is intended to reduce pain associated with conventional procedures, streamline the cross-linking process, and minimize recovery time while delivering clinically meaningful outcomes.
Retinal and broader ophthalmic focus
In its public statements, Glaukos consistently identifies retinal diseases as a third major area of focus alongside glaucoma and corneal disorders. The company describes its overall strategy as developing and commercializing novel ophthalmic therapies and advancing a pipeline of dropless platform technologies aimed at chronic eye diseases. While specific retinal products are not detailed in the provided materials, retinal disease is repeatedly cited as a core therapeutic focus.
Pipeline and dropless platform technologies
Glaukos repeatedly refers to a "robust pipeline of novel, dropless platform technologies" designed to advance the standard of care and improve outcomes for patients with chronic eye diseases. The term "dropless" in the company’s descriptions reflects an emphasis on therapies that can reduce or eliminate the need for frequent topical eye drops by providing long-duration treatment through implants or procedure-based drug delivery.
Examples of this approach include the iDose TR intracameral implant for glaucoma and the Epioxa epithelium-on corneal cross-linking therapy for keratoconus. Both are presented by the company as longer-acting or procedure-based alternatives to conventional, more burdensome treatment regimens.
Manufacturing and U.S. footprint
Glaukos has announced plans to expand its research, development, and manufacturing capabilities through a new facility in Huntsville, Alabama. The company describes this site as a state-of-the-art research, development, and manufacturing facility intended to augment its existing infrastructure, support long-term growth plans, and reinforce its commitment to U.S. manufacturing. The project is characterized as a multi-year investment and is expected to create additional full-time jobs in the region.
Financial reporting and investor communications
Glaukos provides regular financial updates through quarterly and annual results, as reflected in its press releases and Form 8-K filings. These communications highlight net sales, segment performance in glaucoma and corneal health, gross margins, operating expenses, and net income or loss. The company also issues revenue guidance ranges and discusses factors that may affect its performance, such as foreign currency exchange rates and macroeconomic conditions.
In addition, Glaukos makes use of non-GAAP financial measures to supplement its GAAP results, explaining adjustments related to items such as acquisition-related costs, amortization of acquired intangibles, in-process R&D charges, restructuring charges, and other items it identifies for non-GAAP presentation purposes. The company also presents certain net sales information on a constant currency basis to remove the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations.
Regulatory filings and exchange listing
Glaukos files periodic and current reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including Forms 10-Q and 8-K. These filings provide details on financial performance, risk factors, and material events. The company’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol GKOS, as reflected in its SEC disclosures.
Position within the medical technology landscape
Within the broader surgical and medical instrument manufacturing sector, Glaukos is distinct in that it combines pharmaceutical therapies with medical technology platforms in ophthalmology. Its business description consistently emphasizes the integration of micro-scale surgical devices, intracameral implants, and bio-activated pharmaceuticals targeting glaucoma, keratoconus, and other chronic eye diseases.
For investors and observers, key aspects of Glaukos’ profile include its role in pioneering MIGS, its portfolio of glaucoma devices and intracameral therapies, its FDA-approved corneal cross-linking treatments for keratoconus, and its stated focus on dropless, long-duration ophthalmic therapies supported by ongoing research and development.