Aerie Pharmaceuticals announced Thursday that the European Commission granted the company marketing authorization for its netarsudil ophthalmic solution.

The marketing authorization allows Aerie to market the drug, Rhokiinsa, and make it available to patients and healthcare professionals throughout the EU.

Rhokiinsa is used to reduce elevated intraocular pressure in adult patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. The FDA approved the drug for sale in the U.S. in 2017 under the brand name Rhopressa.

“The receipt of an EC marketing authorisation for Rhokiinsa is an important milestone for Aerie as it once again demonstrates the potential value of Aerie’s netarsudil franchise at an international level,” said Vicente Anido, chairman and chief executive officer at Aerie.

The marketing authorization is valid in all 28 countries of the European Union, plus Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein.

Aerie is a Durham-based pharmaceutical company that focuses on therapies for the treatment of patients with glaucoma, retinal diseases and other diseases of the eye. Shares of Aerie closed at $18.40 Thursday afternoon, up 55 cents.