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Glaukos is an ophthalmic medical technology and pharmaceutical company developing novel therapies for chronic eye diseases. It focuses on glaucoma, corneal disorders, and retinal conditions, pioneering Micro-Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) with products like iStent and iDose TR. Its approach creates dropless platforms to advance patient care.
Founded in 1998 by life science investor Olav Bergheim, Glaukos originated from the insight that less invasive interventions were needed for ophthalmic conditions. This led to the development of the first trabecular micro-bypass glaucoma stent in 1999 and its human implant in 2001, charting a new direction in eye care.
Glaukos's products serve patients with sight-threatening chronic eye diseases. Its mission is to transform vision through pioneering novel platforms that improve standard of care and patient outcomes. Adhering to its "We'll Go First" mantra, Glaukos pushes scientific boundaries to disrupt legacy treatment paradigms across eye conditions.
Glaukos has raised $95.0M across 3 funding rounds.
Glaukos has raised $95.0M in total across 3 funding rounds.
Glaukos has raised $95.0M in total across 3 funding rounds.
Glaukos's investors include Meritech Capital Partners, Accel, Battery Ventures, Dawn Capital, Frazier Healthcare Partners, ICONIQ Capital, InterWest, Lead Edge Capital, Mango Capital, Mayfield, OrbiMed, Pitango Venture Capital.
Glaukos Corporation is an ophthalmic medical technology and pharmaceutical company specializing in novel surgical devices and sustained therapies for glaucoma, corneal disorders, and retinal diseases.[1][2][3] It pioneered Micro-Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) with products like the iStent, serves ophthalmologists and patients worldwide, addresses glaucoma—a leading cause of blindness—and demonstrates strong growth through over 1 million iStent implants, FDA approvals for iDose TR and Epioxa, expansions into 17 countries, and acquisitions like Avedro and DOSE Medical.[1][2][3]
The company targets the complete glaucoma disease spectrum, corneal health via cross-linking for keratoconus, and retinal conditions like wet AMD and diabetic macular edema with sustained-release implants, reinvesting about 30% of sales into R&D for microsurgical devices, pharmaceuticals, and biosensors.[2][3][4]
Founded in 1998 in San Clemente, California (now headquartered in Aliso Viejo), Glaukos developed the first trabecular micro-bypass glaucoma stent, launching the iStent in the U.S. in 2012 after establishing a direct sales organization.[1][2][5] Key milestones include completing an IPO in 2015 (NYSE: GKOS), expanding to 17 countries, surpassing 200 peer-reviewed iStent publications, exceeding 1 million implants, and recent FDA approvals for iDose TR (travoprost implant) and Epioxa (riboflavin solution).[2]
Pivotal moments feature acquisitions of Avedro for corneal health and DOSE Medical for retinal R&D, plus licensing deals for non-invasive drug delivery and new clinical programs like GLK-401 and iLution, evolving from glaucoma-focused MIGS to a broader ophthalmic portfolio.[2][3][4]
Glaukos rides the wave of advancing ophthalmic treatments amid rising glaucoma (world-leading blindness cause), keratoconus, and retinal diseases affecting ~28 million U.S. patients, driven by aging populations and diabetes prevalence.[1][3][4] Timing aligns with demand for less invasive alternatives to drops or surgery; MIGS shifts paradigms by enabling safer, concurrent cataract procedures, while sustained-release tech addresses adherence issues in chronic care.[1][2]
Market forces favor Glaukos through regulatory wins (FDA/EU MDR), global expansion, and acquisitions building franchises in glaucoma, cornea, and retina, influencing the ecosystem by setting standards—e.g., iStent's publication volume and firsts in clinical trials—while competitors lag in micro-invasive innovation.[2][3]
Glaukos is poised for expansion with ongoing Phase 2/3 trials (e.g., iLution, retina GLK-401), new licensing (Intratus, Attillaps), and corneal/retinal franchises, potentially capturing larger shares in a market hungry for durable therapies.[2][4] Trends like bioerodible implants and biosensors will shape its path, reducing treatment burdens and boosting adoption amid chronic eye disease growth.
Its influence may evolve as a full-spectrum ophthalmic leader, transforming vision care globally and sustaining momentum from MIGS origins to multifaceted innovation.[2][3][6]
Glaukos has raised $95.0M across 3 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $30.0M Series F in February 2013.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 1, 2013 | $30.0M Series F | Meritech Capital Partners | Accel, Battery Ventures, Dawn Capital, Frazier Healthcare Partners, ICONIQ Capital, InterWest, Lead Edge Capital, Mango Capital, Mayfield, OrbiMed, Pitango Venture Capital, Storm Ventures, Wildcat Ventures, Errol Damelin, Domain Associates, Gund Investment, InterWest Partners, Montreux Equity Partners, Versant Ventures |
| Feb 1, 2011 | $30.0M Series E | Meritech Capital Partners | Accel, Dawn Capital, Frazier Healthcare Partners, OrbiMed, Pitango Venture Capital, Errol Damelin, Domain Associates, InterWest Partners, Montreux Equity Partners, Versant Ventures |
| Aug 1, 2008 | $35.0M Series D | Battery Ventures, Frazier Healthcare Partners, ICONIQ Capital, InterWest, Lead Edge Capital, Mango Capital, Mayfield, OrbiMed, Pitango Venture Capital, Storm Ventures, Wildcat Ventures |