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Glaukos is an Aliso Viejo, California-based ophthalmic medical device and pharmaceutical company that develops and commercializes treatments for glaucoma, corneal disorders, and retinal diseases. The publicly traded enterprise introduced Micro-Invasive Glaucoma Surgery, launching its first commercial device in 2012, and has operated on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker GKOS since its initial public offering in June 2015. To diversify its clinical offerings, the corporation expanded its technological portfolio in 2019 by acquiring Avedro to establish a dedicated corneal health franchise. Under the current leadership of Chief Executive Officer Thomas Burns, the firm recently secured 2025 FDA approval for its Epioxa ophthalmic solution and achieved European regulatory certification for its iStent surgical device. Glaukos was originally founded on January 28, 1998, by ophthalmic entrepreneur Olav B. Bergheim alongside clinical innovators including Richard Hill.
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 across 3 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $30.0M Series F in February 2013.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 1, 2013 | $30M 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 | Announced |
| Feb 1, 2011 | $30M 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 | Announced |
| Aug 1, 2008 | $35M Series D | — | Battery Ventures, Frazier Healthcare Partners, ICONIQ Capital, InterWest, Lead Edge Capital, Mango Capital, Mayfield, OrbiMed, Pitango Venture Capital, Storm Ventures, Wildcat Ventures | Announced |
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 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.
