Glaukos (GKOS) 2025 Conference Transcript

Summary of Glaukos (GKOS) 2025 Conference Call Company Overview - Company: Glaukos Corporation (GKOS) - Event: 2025 Conference Call held on May 27, 2025 Key Points on iDose Reimbursement and Performance - Reimbursement Status: Progress is being made with Medicare administrators, including Noridian, Novitas, and First Coast, with increasing payments for the drug and facility fees [2][3][10] - Professional Fee Adjudication: Ongoing efforts to streamline professional fee payments, with some Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) showing signs of improvement [3][5] - Volume Generation: The timing of reimbursement progress is tied to generating procedural volumes, which is critical for establishing a systematic reimbursement process [4][5] - ASP Comparison: iDose's Average Selling Price (ASP) is competitive, with the product containing seven times the amount of drug compared to Darista, which has comprehensive coverage across payers [7][9][10] - Coverage Status: Approximately 50% of lives are covered under commercial plans and Medicare Advantage, with ongoing efforts to expand access [10][11] - Market Dynamics: iDose is positioned as a second or third-line therapy initially, with plans to drive it closer to first-line therapy over time [12] Financial Performance and Projections - Q1 2025 Performance: The company reported exceptional progress in the market, with Noridian fully operational and increasing payments from Novitas and First Coast [14][19] - Sales Guidance: For 2025, the guidance for iDose sales is projected between $120 million to $125 million, with expectations for a stronger second half of the year due to seasonality and backlog building [23][24] - Gradual Launch: The launch of iDose is expected to be gradual and methodical, with a focus on education and operationalizing reimbursement processes [37][39] Long-term Outlook - Peak Sales Estimates: Peak sales expectations for iDose have not changed significantly but have increased on a risk-adjusted basis due to positive real-world performance [45] - Market Potential: The company is optimistic about the long-term market opportunity, with a focus on expanding access and operational efficiency in physician offices [42][44] U.S. Stent Business Insights - Recent Performance: The U.S. stent business experienced mid-single-digit growth in early 2024 but faced challenges due to Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) impacting procedures [47][48] - Guidance Adjustments: Guidance for 2025 has been adjusted to reflect the impact of LCDs, with expectations for recovery as awareness and adaptation to these changes improve [52][54] Profitability Goals - Cash Flow Breakeven: The company aims to achieve free cash flow breakeven in the near term while continuing to make necessary investments [56] Additional Notes - Investor Enthusiasm: There is strong enthusiasm from investors regarding the product's clinical performance, but the launch pace is primarily influenced by reimbursement dynamics [31][35] - Education and Support: The company emphasizes the importance of educating physicians and their staff on the procedural aspects and reimbursement processes to ensure successful adoption [29][30]