Santen Launches Rhopressa® Ophthalmic Solution 0.02% in Japan, a Treatment for Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension
August 17, 2026 - Osaka, Japan - Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (hereinafter Santen) announced today that it launched Rhopressa® Ophthalmic Solution 0.02% (generic name: netarsudil mesylate; hereinafter the product) in Japan, a treatment for glaucoma and ocular hypertension.
The product contains netarsudil mesylate as its active ingredient. It is believed to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) by inhibiting Rho kinase, thereby promoting aqueous humor outflow through the trabecular outflow pathway, and by inhibiting the norepinephrine transporter, resulting in reduced aqueous humor production. In the current pharmacological treatment of glaucoma, when sufficient IOP-lowering effects cannot be achieved, switching or combination treatment with drugs having different mechanisms of action is generally employed.1 However, switching or combination treatment may increase the number of daily instillations, which may impact patient adherence. Therefore, there is a need for treatment options that provide potent IOP reduction with once-daily dosing. The product is a once-daily ophthalmic solution indicated for the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension in patients who show an insufficient response to existing glaucoma therapies, or who are unable to use said therapies due to adverse effects, and is expected to provide a new treatment option for these patients.
Ippei Kurihara, Director of the Board, Head of Japan Business and Business Development at Santen, commented: “In the pharmacological treatment of glaucoma, when IOP-lowering effects are insufficient, switching to agents with different mechanisms of action or initiating combination therapy may be considered. This product demonstrated IOP-lowering effects both as monotherapy and in combination with prostanoid receptor analogues and β-adrenergic blockers with once-daily instillations. We believe it provides a new therapeutic option that addresses unmet medical needs in glaucoma management.”
As a specialized company dedicated to ophthalmology, Santen seeks to contribute to the improved quality of life of glaucoma patients in Japan by providing more treatment options in clinical settings.
The product is currently sold under the name Rhokiinsa® in the UK and Sweden, and under the name Rhopressa® in South Korea*.
* Regions where Santen operates (excluding the Americas). Rhokiinsa® and Rhopressa® are registered trademarks of Alcon Inc.
| Product Name | Rhopressa® Ophthalmic Solution 0.02% |
| Active Ingredient | Netarsudil mesylate |
| Description | A colorless to slightly yellow, sterile aqueous ophthalmic solution |
| Indication | Glaucoma and ocular hypertension when other treatments are ineffective or cannot be used |
| Dosage and Administration | Instill one drop once daily |
| Storage Conditions | 2–8°C, away from light |
| Packaging | Plastic ophthalmic containers: 2.5 mL × 5 bottles, 2.5 mL × 10 bottles |
| National Health Insurance Price | 0.02% 1 mL 987.80 yen |
| Date of Approval | June 19, 2026 |
| Date of NHI Price Listing | August 13, 2026 |
| Launch Date | August 17, 2026 |
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About Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a disease in which the optic nerve is damaged by increased intraocular pressure or other factors, causing progressive visual field loss. Without appropriate treatment, the condition can lead to blindness. Because glaucoma-related optic nerve damage and visual field loss are fundamentally progressive and irreversible, early diagnosis and treatment are critically important, and lowering intraocular pressure is an effective therapeutic approach to slow the progression of glaucoma. Glaucoma is a major cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. In 2013, an estimated 64.3 million people lived with glaucoma. That number is expected to reach 111.8 million in 2040.2 Among Japanese people aged 40 and over, it has been reported that 5.0% have glaucoma (primary open-angle glaucoma 3.9%, primary angle-closure glaucoma 0.6%, secondary glaucoma 0.5%) and 0.8% have ocular hypertension,3, 4 and it remains the leading cause of visual impairment (vision loss and blindness) in Japan.5 The percentage of people living with glaucoma increases with age and as the average age of the Japanese population is rising, the proportion of people in Japan with the condition is also expected to increase, making early diagnosis and treatment ever more important.
References
- Glaucoma Treatment Guidelines (5th edition). Jpn J Ophthalmol. 2022;126:85-177.
- Tham YC, et al. Ophthalmology. 2014;121:2081-90.
- Iwase A, et al. Ophthalmology. 2004;111:1641-8.
- Yamamoto T, et al. Ophthalmology. 2005;112:1661-9.
- Matoba R, et al. Jpn J Ophthalmol. 2023;67(3):346–352.
About Santen
Santen is a global pharmaceutical company committed to advancing eye health and improving lives through better vision. Founded in 1890 in Osaka, Japan, Santen makes use of more than 135 years of experience in research and development, manufacturing, and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical devices to help people around the globe maintain and improve their eye health. Santen focuses exclusively on eye health and its portfolio includes glaucoma, dry eye, infection, allergy, age-related macular degeneration, and myopia. Santen’s products and services are available in more than 60 countries and regions. Guided by its Core Principle “Tenki ni sanyo suru” – Exploring the secrets and mechanisms of nature in order to contribute to people’s health – Santen combines its expertise with deep patient focus to contribute to the realization of “Happiness with Vision.”
For more information, please visit https://www.santen.com/en.
Contact
Corporate Communications
Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
E-mail: communication@santen.com
