Glaukos(US:GKOS)2025-11-12 19:20Summary of Glaukos Conference Call Company Overview - Company: Glaukos Corporation - Products Discussed: Epioxa and iDose - Industry: MedTech, specifically focused on ophthalmic therapies Key Points Epioxa Pricing and Market Dynamics - Epioxa pricing was established after extensive research and consideration of value for patients, providers, and the payer system [5][6] - The company aims to maximize patient awareness and provider education, which is costly but essential for accessing therapies [7][8] - There are approximately 5 million cataract procedures annually in the U.S., but only about 10,000 patients are currently treated with FOTREXA, indicating a significant opportunity for Epioxa [6][9] - The gross-to-net dynamics for Epioxa include: - A 23% statutory discount for Medicaid patients [11] - A similar discount for sales to 340B public hospital systems [11] - Coverage of out-of-pocket costs for commercial patients to ensure access [12][13] Physician Reactions and Market Access - Initial physician feedback on Epioxa pricing has been mixed, with some expressing shock and unrest [15] - The company emphasizes that pricing decisions were made with patient access as a priority, and they are prepared to engage with physicians to explain their rationale [15][16] - The reimbursement landscape for Epioxa is expected to be non-linear, differing from the iDose experience due to the patient demographics and the number of insurance plans involved [19][20] Patient Volume and Market Potential - The U.S. market for Epioxa is estimated to have around 10,000 patients, with potential to reach 20,000 eyes at peak [23] - The company believes there are significantly more undiagnosed patients with keratoconus, indicating a larger market opportunity [25][26] - The goal is to not only return to previous treatment levels but to expand significantly beyond that [25][26] Comparison with iDose - The peak sales opportunity for iDose is viewed as larger than Epioxa due to a larger patient population (21 million potential ocular hypertensive and glaucomatous eyes) [27][28] - iDose is expected to benefit from a more established market and clearer treatment guidelines compared to Epioxa, which is in a rare disease category [21][22] Reimbursement and Market Access Challenges - The company is confident in the long-term access for iDose despite potential hurdles from the CAC (Coverage Advisory Committee) discussions [29][30] - The reimbursement process is complex, with a need for extensive data to support market access [30][31] - The company is optimistic about the potential for Medicare Advantage plans to cover iDose, which could expand access significantly [34][36] Future Outlook - The company is focused on driving incremental utilization in both commercial and Medicare Advantage populations [56][57] - There is a belief that the dynamics of patient access will improve over time as the company continues to engage with payers and physicians [35][36] Additional Insights - The company acknowledges the challenges of competing for operating room time during peak cataract surgery seasons, which may impact iDose sales [44][45] - The management is cautious about setting revenue expectations, considering various scenarios for both Epioxa and iDose [50][52] This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the Glaukos conference call, highlighting the company's strategic focus on pricing, market access, and future growth opportunities in the ophthalmic therapy space.