Aerie Completes Enrollment Of Rocket 4 Phase III Clinical Trial Of Rhopressatm (Netarsudil Ophthalmic Solution) 0.02%

- Trial On Track for Topline 90-day Interim Efficacy Readout in Q4 2016 –

-Rocket 4 Designed for EU Filing; Not Required for US NDA Filing-

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:AERI), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of first-in-class glaucoma therapies, today announced the completion of patient enrollment in Rocket 4, the Company’s Phase 3 clinical trial for Rhopressa^TM (netarsudil ophthalmic solution) 0.02% intended to satisfy filing requirements in Europe. Rhopressa^TM is a novel once-daily eye drop being tested for its ability to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Rocket 4 achieved total enrollment of approximately 700 patients and is a two-arm 90-day efficacy study, comparing once-daily Rhopressa^TM for non-inferiority to twice-daily timolol. The range for the primary endpoint mirrors Aerie’s successful Rocket 2 trial, including patients with baseline IOPs ranging from above 20 mmHg (millimeters of mercury) to below 25 mmHg. Rocket 4 also includes a secondary endpoint range of baseline IOPs from above 20 mmHg to below 27 mmHg, and additionally a secondary endpoint timeframe of six months.

To ensure a proper cohort of patients in the study for primary and secondary endpoint purposes, Rocket 4 includes enrollment of patients with baseline IOPs up to 30 mmHg. Rocket 4 is designed to provide six-month safety data for a minimum of 300 patients on Rhopressa^TM to support expected future regulatory filing requirements in Europe. It is not required for the Rhopressa^TM NDA filing, which is on plan to be filed in the third-quarter of 2016. The 90-day interim topline efficacy results of this trial are expected to be reported in the fourth quarter of 2016, on schedule with the previously reported timeline.

“Rocket 4, while not needed for our Rhopressa^TM NDA filing expected to be submitted next quarter, is designed to provide adequate Rhopressa^TM safety data for our future expected filings with the European regulatory authorities. Europe represents a very large glaucoma market, and we expect to file for European approval of Rhopressa^TM in the second half of 2017,” said Vicente Anido, Jr., Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer and Chairman at Aerie.

About Rhopressa™

Rhopressa^TM (netarsudil ophthalmic solution) 0.02% is a novel eye drop that we believe, if approved, would become the only once-daily product available that specifically targets the trabecular meshwork, the eye’s primary fluid drain and the diseased tissue responsible for elevated IOP in glaucoma. Preclinical results have demonstrated that Rhopressa^TM also lowers episcleral venous pressure, which contributes approximately half of IOP in healthy subjects. Further, Rhopressa^TM provides an additional mechanism that reduces fluid production in the eye and therefore lowers IOP. Biochemically, Rhopressa^TM is known to inhibit both Rho Kinase (ROCK) and norepinephrine transporter (NET). Recent preclinical studies have shown that Rhopressa^TM may have disease-modifying properties, including an anti-fibrotic effect on the trabecular meshwork and the potential to increase perfusion of the trabecular meshwork. Preclinical research is also currently underway to evaluate the potential neuroprotective benefits of Rhopressa^TM. The representations above regarding the Rhopressa^TM mechanisms of action are the result of Aerie’s preclinical studies and clinical trials.

There are two Phase 3 registration trials (Rocket 2 and Rocket 1) for Rhopressa^TM required for the NDA filing that we expect to submit to the FDA in the third quarter of 2016. Rocket 2 will be the pivotal trial and Rocket 1 will be supportive for the NDA filing. Rocket 3 is a 12-month safety-only study in Canada which is currently in progress and not needed for NDA filing. Rocket 4, the subject of this release, commenced in late September 2015. Rocket 4 is designed to measure IOPs at 8 am, 10 am and 4 pm at week 2, week 6 and day 90 as the primary measurement points, with secondary IOP measurements at those same times of day at months four, five, and six.

About Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Aerie is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of first-in-class therapies for the treatment of patients with glaucoma and other diseases of the eye. Aerie’s two lead product candidates are once-daily IOP-lowering therapies with novel mechanisms of action to treat patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension. It is expected that the NDA filing for Rhopressa^TM (netarsudil ophthalmic solution) 0.02% will take place in the third quarter of 2016. The second product candidate, Roclatan^TM (netarsudil/latanoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.02%/0.005%, which is a fixed dose combination of Rhopressa^TM and widely prescribed PGA latanoprost, currently has two Phase 3 registration trials underway, named Mercury 1 and Mercury 2. If these trials are successful, a Roclatan^TM NDA filing is expected to take place in the second half of 2017.

Forward-Looking Statements

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