Aerie Pharmaceuticals Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2014 Financial Results and Provides Business and Product Development Update

Rhopressa^TM Rocket 1 Efficacy Read-Out Approaching;
Recent Preclinical Research Findings Represent Potential Breakthroughs

Conference Call and Webcast Today, March 2, at 5:00 p.m. ET

IRVINE, Calif. & BEDMINSTER, N.J. & RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:AERI), 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, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2014 and provided an update on the Company's business highlights.

Aerie Highlights

• Rhopressa^TM Phase 3 registration trials are well underway, with three-month efficacy data for Rocket 1 expected mid-second quarter of 2015.
• Roclatan^TM Phase 3 enabling activities also are ongoing, and Phase 3 registration trials are expected to commence in the third quarter of 2015.
• Recently presented research demonstrated the disease-modification potential of Rhopressa^TM and also explored activity of a new Aerie molecule AR-13154 in a preclinical model of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
• As of December 31, 2014, Aerie had over $158 million in cash, cash equivalents and investments. The cash and investment balance is expected to be sufficient to complete development activities and commence anticipated commercialization of Rhopressa™ and Roclatan™, and provides Aerie the flexibility to pursue potential strategic growth opportunities.

"We are rapidly approaching the first efficacy read-out from our Rhopressa^TM Phase 3 trials in the middle of next quarter, as we prepare to commence Roclatan^TM Phase 3 trials this summer. We remain focused on building a major ophthalmic pharmaceutical company, as we execute the clinical trials program for our advanced products to serve the glaucoma market and explore additional, meaningful new growth opportunities," said Vicente Anido, Jr., Ph.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

Dr. Anido continued, "We are also very excited about our important new research findings regarding the disease-modification potential for Rhopressa^TM. This research, showing anti-fibrotic activity and perfusion benefit for the trabecular meshwork, provides further evidence of the breakthrough potential of Rhopressa^TM in treating ocular hypertension and glaucoma. Additionally, preclinical in vivo research showed that early stage Aerie molecule AR-13154 out-performed EYLEA in reducing lesions in a model of wet AMD, and we look forward to further exploring this compound, which may represent a new long-term opportunity for Aerie in a very large ophthalmic pharmaceutical market."

Triple-Action Rhopressa™

Aerie's first-in-class product candidates are all single drop, once-daily medications that are well-tolerated and have shown no systemic drug-related adverse events.

Rhopressa^TM is a novel triple-action eye drop that we believe, if approved, would become the only once-daily product available that specifically targets the trabecular meshwork (TM), the eye's primary fluid drain and the diseased tissue responsible for elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in glaucoma. Preclinical results have demonstrated that Rhopressa^TM also lowers episcleral venous pressure (EVP), 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).

In the Company's Phase 2b clinical trial, which was successfully completed in May 2013, Rhopressa^TM demonstrated a strong IOP-lowering effect, with mean IOP reductions of 5.7 and 6.2 mmHg (millimeters of Mercury) on days 28 and 14, respectively. In addition, Rhopressa^TM demonstrated a consistent mean IOP-lowering effect irrespective of the baseline IOPs of the patients entered into the trial. This effect differentiates Rhopressa^TM from currently marketed IOP-lowering agents such as market-leading prostaglandins (PGAs) and beta blockers, which have their highest effect at higher baseline IOPs, while losing efficacy as the baseline diminishes, as shown in published studies. This is significant given that the majority of glaucoma patients have low to moderately elevated IOPs of 26 mmHg or below at the time of diagnosis. In the Roclatan^TM Phase 2b trial recently completed in June 2014, Rhopressa^TM performed with similar results as in its Phase 2b trial completed in May 2013 and, in addition, demonstrated additive efficacy when used in combination with latanoprost, the most commonly prescribed PGA.

In July 2014, the Company commenced its Phase 3 registration trials for Rhopressa^TM, which will measure efficacy over three months and safety over 12 months. Two trials are being conducted in the United States, named "Rocket 1" and "Rocket 2," where the primary efficacy endpoint will be to demonstrate non-inferiority of IOP lowering for Rhopressa^TM compared to timolol. Timolol is the most widely used comparator in registration trials for glaucoma. A third safety-only registration trial is being conducted in Canada. Three-month efficacy results are expected for Rocket 1 by mid-second quarter 2015. If the trials are successful, the Company expects to submit an NDA filing by mid-2016.

Quadruple-Action Roclatan™

Roclatan™ is a once-daily eye drop that combines our triple-action Rhopressa™ with latanoprost, a PGA that is the most widely prescribed glaucoma drug. If approved, we believe that Roclatan™ would be the first glaucoma product to lower IOP through all known mechanisms: (i) increasing fluid outflow through the TM, the eye's primary drain, (ii) increasing fluid outflow through the uveoscleral pathway, the eye's secondary drain, (iii) reducing fluid production in the eye, and (iv) reducing EVP.

A successful 28-day Phase 2b clinical trial for Roclatan™ was completed in June 2014. Roclatan^TM achieved its primary efficacy endpoint on day 29 and demonstrated statistical superiority over the product's individual components at all time points. We believe that Roclatan™, if approved, would be the only glaucoma product that covers the full spectrum of known IOP-lowering mechanisms, giving it the potential to provide a greater IOP-lowering effect than any currently approved glaucoma product. Therefore, we believe that Roclatan™, if approved, could compete in both the PGA and non-PGA markets and become the product of choice for patients requiring maximal IOP lowering, including those with IOPs in excess of 26 mmHg and those who present with significant disease progression despite currently available therapies. We expect Phase 3 registration trials to commence in mid-2015. Preparatory steps for such trials are in progress.

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2014 Financial Results

As of December 31, 2014, the Company had cash, cash equivalents and investments of $158.2 million. For the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2014, the Company reported a net loss attributable to common stockholders, as measured in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), of $16.5 million, or $0.69 per share, compared to $10.3 million and $0.62 per share for the fourth quarter 2013. The weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding utilized in the calculation of net loss per common share was 24,400,268 and 16,739,367 for the fourth quarter 2014 and 2013, respectively. The increase in the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding is attributable to changes to the Company's capital structure in connection with Aerie's initial public offering in October 2013.

The $16.5 million net loss attributable to common stockholders for the fourth quarter 2014 includes $16.0 million in operating expenses, reflecting $9.6 million in research and development expenses and $6.4 million in general and administrative expenses. Included in the $16.0 million of operating expenses is $2.5 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense. Excluding non-cash stock-based compensation expense, adjusted operating expenses of $13.5 million include adjusted research and development expenses of $9.3 million and adjusted general and administrative expenses of $4.2 million. Total adjusted net loss was $14.0 million and adjusted net loss per share was $0.58.

The $10.3 million net loss attributable to common stockholders for the fourth quarter 2013 includes $6.8 million in operating expenses, reflecting research and development expenses of $3.2 million and general and administrative expenses of $3.6 million, and non-cash interest expense and certain valuation-related losses of $3.5 million included in other income (expense), net. Excluding non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $1.3 million, adjusted operating expenses for fourth quarter 2013 were approximately $5.4 million, reflecting adjusted research and development expenses of $3.0 million and adjusted general and administrative expenses of $2.4 million. Total adjusted net loss was $5.4 million.

The higher operating expenses in fourth quarter 2014 as compared to fourth quarter 2013 primarily reflect increased clinical and non-clinical activities for Rhopressa™, increased non-clinical activities for Roclatan™ and increased activity related to supporting the growth in our operations.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company reported a net loss attributable to common stockholders, as measured in accordance with GAAP, of $48.1 million, or $2.00 per share, compared to $31.6 million and $6.38 per share for the year ended December 31, 2013. The weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding utilized in the calculation of net loss per common share was 24,086,651 and 4,955,760 for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

The $48.1 million net loss attributable to common stockholders for the year ended December 31, 2014 includes $9.2 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense. Excluding non-cash stock-based compensation expense, total adjusted net loss was $39.0 million and adjusted net loss per share was $1.62. The $31.6 million net loss attributable to common stockholders for the year ended December 31, 2013 includes $2.9 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense and other non-cash expenses of $10.7 million. Excluding these non-cash expenses, total adjusted net loss was $18.0 million and adjusted net loss per share was $3.64.

The higher operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2014 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2013 primarily reflect increased clinical and non-clinical activities for Rhopressa™, increased clinical and non-clinical activities for Roclatan™ and increased activity related to supporting the growth in our operations

Conference Call / Web Cast Information

Aerie management will host a live conference call and webcast at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time today to discuss the Company's financial results and provide a general business update.

The live webcast and a replay may be accessed by visiting Aerie's website at http://investors.aeriepharma.com. Please connect to the Company's website at least 15 minutes prior to the live webcast to ensure adequate time for any software download that may be needed to access the webcast. Alternatively, please call (888) 734-0328 (U.S.) or (678) 894-3054 (international) to listen to the live conference call. The conference ID number for the live call is 72047897. Please dial in approximately 10 minutes prior to the call. Telephone replay will be available approximately two hours after the call. To access the replay, please call (855)-859-2056 (U.S.) or (404) 537-3406 (international). The conference ID number for the replay is 72047897. The telephone replay will be available until March 9, 2015.

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. The Company is conducting two Phase 3 registration trials in the United States, named "Rocket 1" and "Rocket 2," where the primary efficacy endpoint will be to demonstrate non-inferiority of IOP lowering for Rhopressa^TM compared to timolol, along with a third Phase 3 registration safety-only trial, named "Rocket 3," in Canada. Three-month efficacy results are expected for Rocket 1 by mid-second quarter 2015. The Company also completed a Phase 2b clinical trial in which Roclatan^TM met the primary efficacy endpoint, demonstrating the statistical superiority of Roclatan^TM to each of its components. Phase 3 registration trials for Roclatan^TM are expected to commence in mid-2015. Preparatory steps for these trials are in progress.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We may, in some cases, use terms such as "predicts," "believes," "potential," "proposed," "continue," "estimates," "anticipates," "expects," "plans," "intends," "may," "could," "might," "will," "should," "exploring," "pursuing" or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding our intentions, beliefs, projections, outlook, analyses or current expectations concerning, among other things: the success, timing and cost of our ongoing and anticipated preclinical studies and clinical trials for our current product candidates, including statements regarding the timing of initiation and completion of the studies and trials; our expectations regarding the clinical effectiveness of our product candidates and results of our clinical trials; the timing of and our ability to obtain and maintain U.S. Food and Drug Administration or other regulatory authority approval of, or other action with respect to, our product candidates; our expectations regarding the commercialization of our product candidates; our expectations related to the use of proceeds from our initial public offering and the issuance and sale of our senior secured convertible notes; our estimates regarding anticipated capital requirements and our needs for additional financing; the potential advantages of our product candidates; our plans to pursue development of our product candidates for additional indications and other therapeutic opportunities; our plans to explore possible uses of our existing proprietary compounds beyond glaucoma; and our ability to protect our proprietary technology and enforce our intellectual property rights. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events, competitive dynamics and industry change, and depend on regulatory approvals and economic circumstances that may or may not occur in the future or may occur on longer or shorter timelines than anticipated. We discuss many of these risks in greater detail under the heading "Risk Factors" in the quarterly and annual reports that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In particular, the preclinical research discussed in this press release is preliminary and the outcome of such preclinical studies may not be predictive of the outcome of later clinical trials. Any future clinical trial results may not demonstrate safety and efficacy sufficient to obtain regulatory approval related to the preclinical research findings discussed in this press release. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and our actual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and the development of the industry in which we operate may differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Any forward-looking statements that we make in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. We assume no obligation to update our forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this press release.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement our financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP, we use the following non-GAAP financial measures, some of which are discussed above: adjusted net loss, adjusted operating expenses, adjusted research and development expenses, adjusted general and administrative expenses, adjusted other income (expense) and adjusted net loss per share. For a description of the adjusted calculations and reconciliation to the nearest GAAP measure, please see the "Reconciliation of GAAP Net Loss to Adjusted Net Loss" and "Reconciliation of GAAP Net Loss per Share to Adjusted Net Loss per Share" tables in this press release.

We believe these non-GAAP financial measures provide investors with useful supplemental information about the financial performance of our business, enable comparison of financial results between periods where certain items may vary independent of business performance, and allow for greater transparency with respect to key metrics used by management in operating our business.

The presentation of these financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. Investors are cautioned that there are material limitations associated with the use of non-GAAP financial measures as an analytical tool. In particular, the adjustments to our GAAP financial measures reflect the exclusion of non-cash stock-based compensation expense, which is recurring and will be reflected in our financial results for the foreseeable future. In addition, these measures may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies, limiting their usefulness for comparison purposes. We compensate for these limitations by providing specific information regarding the GAAP amounts excluded from these non-GAAP financial measures.

AERIE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
			DECEMBER 31,
			2014			2013
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents			$	85,586		$	69,649
Short-term investments				54,339			-
Prepaid expenses and other current assets				1,122			618
Total current assets				141,047			70,267
Long-term investments				18,275			-
Furniture, fixtures and equipment, net				240			132
Other assets, net				1,523			59
Total assets			$	161,085		$	70,458
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and other current liabilities			$	8,336		$	3,482
Interest payable				551			-
Total current liabilities				8,887			3,482
Convertible notes, net of discounts				124,156			-
Total liabilities				133,043			3,482
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' Equity
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 15,000,000 shares authorized as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013; None issued and outstanding				-			-
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 150,000,000 shares authorized as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013; 24,018,577 and 23,285,549 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively				24			23
Additional paid-in capital				171,326			162,021
Accumulated other comprehensive loss				(107)			-
Accumulated deficit				(143,201)			(95,068)
Total stockholders' equity				28,042			66,976
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity			$	161,085		$	70,458

AERIE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
			THREE MONTHS ENDED						TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
			DECEMBER 31,						DECEMBER 31,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
Operating expenses
General and administrative			$	(6,380)		$	(3,594)		$	(20,103)		$	(10,287)
Research and development				(9,593)			(3,156)			(29,869)			(11,883)
Loss from operations				(15,973)			(6,750)			(49,972)			(22,170)
Other income (expense), net				(528)			(3,532)			1,839			(8,978)
Net loss			$	(16,501)		$	(10,282)		$	(48,133)		$	(31,148)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders-basic and diluted			$	(16,501)		$	(10,319)		$	(48,133)		$	(31,598)
Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders-basic and diluted			$	(0.69)		$	(0.62)		$	(2.00)		$	(6.38)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding-basic and diluted				24,400,268			16,739,367			24,086,651			4,955,760
Net loss				(16,501)			(10,282)			(48,133)			(31,148)
Unrealized loss on available-for-sale investments				(98)			-			(107)			-
Comprehensive loss			$	(16,599)		$	(10,282)		$	(48,240)		$	(31,148)

Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Reconciliation of GAAP Net Loss to Adjusted Net Loss
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)
			THREE MONTHS ENDED								TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
			DECEMBER 31,								DECEMBER 31,
			2014				2013				2014				2013
Net loss attributable to common stockholders - basic and diluted:
Net loss attributable to common stockholders - basic and diluted (GAAP)			$	(16,501	)		$	(10,319	)		$	(48,133	)		$	(31,598	)
Adjustments:
Stock-based compensation (a)				2,482				1,327				9,178				2,858
Change in fair value measurements of warrant liabilities (b)				-				(133	)			-				3,717
Interest and amortization expense related to notes subsequently converted to common equity (c)				-				930				-				3,795
Loss on conversion of notes payable to related parties (d)				-				2,737				-				2,737
Accretion related to convertible preferred stock (e)				-				37				-				450
Adjusted Net loss			$	(14,019	)		$	(5,421	)		$	(38,955	)		$	(18,041	)
Operating expenses:
General and administrative expense:
General and administrative expense (GAAP)			$	(6,380	)		$	(3,594	)		$	(20,103	)		$	(10,287	)
Adjustments:
Stock-based compensation (a)				2,214				1,211				7,839				2,636
Adjusted general and administrative expense			$	(4,166	)		$	(2,383	)		$	(12,264	)		$	(7,651	)
Research and development expense:
Research and development expense (GAAP)			$	(9,593	)		$	(3,156	)		$	(29,869	)		$	(11,883	)
Adjustments:
Stock-based compensation (a)				268				116				1,339				222
Adjusted research and development expense			$	(9,325	)		$	(3,040	)		$	(28,530	)		$	(11,661	)
Operating expenses (GAAP)			$	(15,973	)		$	(6,750	)		$	(49,972	)		$	(22,170	)
Adjustments:
Stock-based compensation (a)				2,482				1,327				9,178				2,858
Adjusted operating expenses			$	(13,491	)		$	(5,423	)		$	(40,794	)		$	(19,312	)
Other income (expense):
Other income (expense) (GAAP)			$	(528	)		$	(3,532	)		$	1,839			$	(8,978	)
Adjustments:
Change in fair value measurements of warrant liabilities (b)				-				(133	)			-				3,717
Interest and amortization expense related to notes subsequently converted to common equity (c)				-				930				-				3,795
Loss on conversion of notes payable to related parties (d)				-				2,737				-				2,737
Adjusted other income (expense)			$	(528	)		$	2			$	1,839			$	1,271

Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Reconciliation of GAAP Net Loss Per Share to Adjusted Net Loss Per Share
(Unaudited)
			THREE MONTHS ENDED								TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
			DECEMBER 31,								DECEMBER 31,
			2014				2013				2014				2013
Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders - basic and diluted:
Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders - basic and diluted (GAAP)			$	(0.69	)		$	(0.62	)		$	(2.00	)		$	(6.38	)
Adjustments:
Stock-based compensation (a)				0.11				0.08				0.38				0.58
Change in fair value measurements of warrant liabilities (b)				-				(0.01	)			-				0.75
Interest and amortization expense related to notes subsequently converted to common equity (c)				-				0.06				-				0.77
Loss on conversion of notes payable to related parties (d)				-				0.16				-				0.55
Accretion related to convertible preferred stock (e)				-				0.01				-				0.09
Adjusted Net loss per share			$	(0.58	)		$	(0.32	)		$	(1.62	)		$	(3.64	)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted				24,400,268				16,739,367				24,086,651				4,955,760

Aerie is providing adjusted information that excludes certain items because of the nature of these items and the impact they have on the analysis of underlying business performance and trends. Management believes that providing this information enhances investors' understanding of the Company's performance. This information should be considered in addition to, but not in lieu of, information prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Explanation of adjustments:
	(a)		Stock-based compensation: Exclude the non-cash stock-based compensation.
	(b)		Change in fair value measurements of warrant liabilities: Exclude the non-cash change in fair value.
	(c)		Interest and amortization expense related to notes subsequently converted to common equity: Exclude the non-cash interest and amortization expense.
	(d)		Loss on conversion of notes payable to related parties: Exclude the non-cash extinguishment loss on conversion of notes payable to related parties.
	(e)		Accretion related to convertible preferred stock: Exclude the accretion related to convertible preferred stock.

Aerie Pharmaceuticals
Richard Rubino, 908-947-3540
rrubino@aeriepharma.com
or
Burns McClellan, Inc., on behalf of Aerie Pharmaceuticals
Ami Bavishi, 212-213-0006
abavishi@burnsmc.com

Source: Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

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