Aerie: U.S. Launch of Rocklatan; Increase in Rhopressa Medicare Part D Coverage

Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: AERI), an ophthalmic pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of first-in-class therapies for the treatment of patients with open-angle glaucoma, retinal diseases and other diseases of the eye, today announced that it has launched Rocklatan (netarsudil and latanoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.02%/0.005% into the United States glaucoma market.

Rocklatan is now with national and regional U.S. pharmaceutical wholesalers, and patients can fill prescriptions for Rocklatan through their local pharmacies across the nation.

Rocklatan has already gained non-preferred brand coverage with payors representing 60% of commercial lives. Additionally, effective May 1, Medicare Part D preferred tier coverage for Rhopressa (netarsudil ophthalmic solution) 0.02% increased from approximately 40% to 75%. Commercial coverage for Rhopressa remains at 90% of lives, with 55% of lives in a preferred tier.

‘We are very pleased to announce the availability of Rocklatan in the United States. As the first fixed-dose combination glaucoma medication including a prostaglandin analog introduced in this country, and the first to contain a Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitor in the world, Rocklatan adds an important new tool to the treatment paradigm – and a second way to provide the benefits of a ROCK inhibitor – for physicians and their patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension,’ said Vicente Anido, Jr., Ph.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. ‘In fact, the approval of Rocklatan in mid-March was greeted very enthusiastically by the glaucoma treatment community. These eye care professionals are now able to prescribe Rocklatan and obtain samples of the product.’

Dr. Anido added, ‘We are also providing a single savings card to reduce out-of-pocket costs for commercially-insured patients who are prescribed either Rocklatan or Rhopressa. We are committed to maximum access for patients and we continue to meet with commercial and Medicare Part D plans to accelerate market access for Rocklatan on those formularies. Ultimately, we believe Rocklatan has the potential to become a new cornerstone of medical therapy for glaucoma and ocular hypertension. At this point, Rhopressa is covered in a preferred tier for the majority of commercial and Medicare Part D lives in the United States. We are delighted to have obtained this level of market access within one year of the Rhopressa launch and believe the increased Medicare Part D coverage to 75% of lives will bolster volume growth going forward, and Rocklatan coverage is already off to a strong start.’

https://www.marketscreener.com/AERIE-PHARMACEUTICALS-INC-14688906/news/Aerie-Pharmaceuticals-Announces-U-S-Launch-of-Rocklatan-and-Increase-in-Rhopressa-Medicare-Part-D-28521106/