Orasis Pharmaceuticals is set to introduce Qlosi, its FDA-approved presbyopia treatment, to the U.S. market in late March or early April 2025. The company is making significant preparations for the launch of this preservative-free, low-dose pilocarpine HCl ophthalmic solution 0.4%, which received FDA approval in October 2023.
Rapid Team Expansion and Commercial Build-out
In a strategic move to support the product launch, Orasis is dramatically expanding its U.S. presence. "We're going on what was four people in the U.S. several months ago to about 75 by the time we're done," stated Paul Smith, President and Chief Operating Officer of Orasis. The expansion includes a substantial field force, with 50 customer-facing roles already filled.
The company's core team, comprising 12 members as of September, brings an impressive 240 years of combined experience in the eye care market. "We'll leverage that tenure, that depth of understanding and those customer insights that we think will be incredibly important to creating the right experience for patients and providers," Smith explained.
Strategic Focus on Optometry Market
Orasis has identified optometrists as key prescribers for Qlosi, based on patient care patterns in presbyopia management. This strategy is supported by market data showing that over 80% of prescriptions for a similar product in this category were written by optometrists.
"The target patient population for this product is, at this stage in their lives, in their continuum of care, more likely to be seen in the primary eye care setting, which in the U.S. is optometry," Smith noted. The company has been actively engaging in educational initiatives across the eye care community for more than a year.
Commercial Launch and Future Development Plans
The company will make its first major commercial appearance at SECO 2025 in Atlanta, marking a significant milestone in Qlosi's launch. Smith emphasized their commitment to "lay the right foundation, take a responsible and disciplined approach and set this up for long-term growth to its full potential."
Beyond the initial presbyopia indication, Orasis is actively pursuing expanded applications for Qlosi. The company has two phase 2-ready programs investigating additional therapeutic indications that utilize the same pupil modulation mechanism. These programs target different patient populations and focus on medical or therapeutic indications, distinguishing them from presbyopia, which is considered a quality-of-life condition associated with aging.
Global Expansion Initiatives
Orasis is actively pursuing international partnerships to expand Qlosi's availability worldwide. The company recently announced a partnership in Korea and indicates more international collaborations are forthcoming. "The most important thing we're doing is launching Qlosi right as the first asset, the flagship brand in our bag," Smith concluded.
