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United Therapeutics

A biotechnology company developing pulmonary hypertension treatments, organ transplantation technologies, and xenotransplantation solutions, founded in 1996 and headquartered in North Carolina.

Company Overview

United Therapeutics Corporation is an American biotechnology company focused on developing treatments for rare lung diseases, pulmonary hypertension, and next-generation organ manufacturing and transplantation technologies. The company's portfolio includes FDA-approved therapies such as Remodulin (treprostinil), Tyvaso (inhaled treprostinil), and Tyvaso DPI (treprostinil dry powder inhalation), which treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and related conditions. In recent years, United Therapeutics has significantly expanded into organ bioengineering and xenotransplantation through key acquisitions including Revivicor (2011), IVIVA Medical (2023), and Miromatrix Medical (2023). The company was ranked No. 942 on the Fortune 1000 list in 2025 and serves as the 74th largest healthcare company on that list.

Headquarters and Global Presence

United Therapeutics is headquartered in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. The company maintains a global footprint with distribution partnerships established across the United States through agreements with Accredo Health Group, Caremark, and CVS Specialty. These partnerships ensure robust U.S. distribution of the company's leading products including Remodulin, Tyvaso, Tyvaso DPI, and Orenitram. The company operates multiple manufacturing facilities and research centers focused on drug development and organ bioengineering.

Founding and History

United Therapeutics was founded in 1996 by Dr. Martine Rothblatt, a lawyer, author, and entrepreneur also known for creating SiriusXM. The company was born from personal motivation: Rothblatt's daughter was diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension, a fatal orphan disease, prompting Rothblatt to sell telecommunications stock and establish the PPH Cure Foundation to fund PAH research. United Therapeutics raised $63 million in its Initial Public Offering in June 1999. The company achieved early success with FDA approval of Remodulin in 2002, which generated $50 million in annual sales by 2003 and grew to $300 million annually by 2010. In 2021, United Therapeutics converted to a public benefit corporation, with the stated purpose of providing treatments and technologies that expand the availability of transplantable organs.

Therapy Areas and Focus

United Therapeutics concentrates on rare lung diseases and pulmonary hypertension, including pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease, and progressive pulmonary fibrosis. The company also addresses neuroblastoma and end-stage lung disease. A major strategic focus involves organ transplantation, specifically xenotransplantation and bioengineered organ manufacturing. The company's R&D pipeline includes five registration-phase studies, primarily in rare lung diseases, and seven preclinical product leads focused on organ manufacturing and transplantation technologies.

Technology Platforms and Modalities

United Therapeutics employs multiple drug delivery modalities including intravenous and subcutaneous infusions, oral formulations, and inhaled therapies. The Remunity Pump, developed in partnership with DEKA Research & Development, is a semi-disposable, pre-filled infusion pump designed for subcutaneous treprostinil delivery. The company utilizes dry powder inhalation technology through its collaboration with MannKind Corporation, exemplified by Tyvaso DPI, the first FDA-approved dry powder inhalation treatment for pulmonary hypertension. The company also invests in bioelectronic medicine and cell therapy approaches through strategic partnerships with Northwell Health.

Key Pipeline and Programs

United Therapeutics maintains an active clinical pipeline with multiple programs in advanced stages. The TETON program includes Phase III studies for progressive pulmonary fibrosis: TETON 1 reached full enrollment with 598 patients in February 2025 and TETON 2 met its primary endpoint in September 2025. A Phase III study of nebulized treprostinil (TETON PPF) is currently enrolling for progressive pulmonary fibrosis. The company also advanced a Phase I acute liver failure program, which met its primary endpoint in January 2026, with Phase II initiation planned. In the xenotransplantation space, the company announced the first xenotransplant in its trial in November 2025. Ralinepag, developed through collaboration with Arena Pharmaceuticals, is being pursued as a potentially best-in-class once-daily oral prostacyclin agonist for PAH treatment. Guidance for 2026 projects 15-20% revenue growth, assuming new inhaler approval by mid-year.

Key Personnel

Dr. Martine Rothblatt serves as Founder and Chief Executive Officer, leading the company since its inception in 1996. James Edgemond holds the position of Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Marc Lorber serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer for Lung Biotechnology, PBC, while Gil Golden serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer for North America. Alex Sapir leads Sales and Marketing as Senior Vice President. Patrick Poisson oversees Technical Operations as Executive Vice President, and Liang Guo leads Chemistry R&D and Production as Executive Vice President. Alyssa Friedrich serves as Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Corporate Development.

Strategic Partnerships

United Therapeutics has established multiple strategic partnerships to advance its research and development efforts. The partnership with MannKind Corporation has resulted in Tyvaso DPI and now includes the development of a second dry powder inhalation therapy. The collaboration with DEKA Research & Development focuses on advanced infusion pump technology with joint ownership of improvements. United Therapeutics partners with Arena Pharmaceuticals on the development of Ralinepag for PAH treatment. The company established a strategic partnership with Northwell Health to advance bioelectronic medicine and cell therapy, with Northwell leading four research and development tracks while United Therapeutics funds and advances results into clinical development. The company maintains licensing agreements and collaborations with Eli Lilly and Company and the National Cancer Institute. Distribution partnerships with Accredo Health Group, Caremark, and CVS Specialty ensure broad U.S. market coverage.

FAQ Section

United Therapeutics' primary FDA-approved treatments for pulmonary hypertension include Remodulin (intravenous and subcutaneous treprostinil), Tyvaso (inhaled treprostinil), and Tyvaso DPI (dry powder inhalation treprostinil approved in May 2022). Additional approved products include Orenitram (oral treprostinil) and Adcirca. Unituxin is approved for neuroblastoma treatment.

Martine Rothblatt founded United Therapeutics in 1996 after her young daughter was diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension, a fatal orphan disease. This personal motivation drove Rothblatt to sell telecommunications stock and establish the PPH Cure Foundation to fund PAH research, which eventually led to United Therapeutics' creation.

United Therapeutics is developing xenotransplantation and bioengineered organ technologies through strategic acquisitions and partnerships. The company acquired Revivicor (2011) to develop xenokidney programs, IVIVA Medical (2023) for bioengineering capabilities, and Miromatrix Medical (2023), which specializes in bioengineered organs composed of human cells. The company announced its first xenotransplant in November 2025.

The TETON clinical trial program for progressive pulmonary fibrosis has advanced significantly. TETON 1 reached full enrollment with 598 patients in February 2025. TETON 2 met its primary endpoint in September 2025. A Phase III study of nebulized treprostinil (TETON PPF) is currently enrolling patients. Data monitoring committees have unanimously recommended continuation of both major TETON studies.

United Therapeutics partners with MannKind Corporation on dry powder inhalation therapies, including the development of a second therapy beyond Tyvaso DPI. The company collaborates with DEKA Research & Development on the Remunity Pump for treprostinil delivery. United Therapeutics also partners with Northwell Health on bioelectronic medicine and cell therapy research and development initiatives.

In 2021, United Therapeutics shareholders approved conversion to a public benefit corporation (PBC). The company's stated public benefit purpose is to provide a brighter future for patients through (a) the development of novel pharmaceutical therapies and (b) technologies that expand the availability of transplantable organs. This structure aligns the company's legal obligations with its mission-driven approach to rare disease treatment.

United Therapeutics issued 2026 guidance projecting 15-20% revenue growth, assuming approval of a new inhaler formulation by mid-year. The company maintains five registration-phase clinical studies, primarily in rare lung diseases, and seven preclinical product leads focused on organ manufacturing. Key anticipated milestones include Phase II initiation for acute liver failure treatment and continued enrollment in the TETON PPF progressive pulmonary fibrosis study.

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