ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Esperion (NASDAQ:ESPR) and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. today announced successful results from a Phase 3 trial of bempedoic acid, a treatment aimed at patients with hypercholesterolemia in Japan. The trial met its primary endpoint, demonstrating a statistically significant reduction in LDL cholesterol levels compared to placebo.
The study involved 96 patients with high LDL cholesterol who either could not tolerate statins or did not achieve sufficient results from them. Participants received a daily oral dose of 180 mg of bempedoic acid or a placebo over 12 weeks. Results showed a 25.25% reduction in LDL-C levels from baseline in the bempedoic acid group versus a 3.46% reduction in the placebo group, with a p-value of less than 0.01 indicating statistical significance.
Safety and tolerability profiles for bempedoic acid were in line with previous findings, and no serious adverse events were reported. The drug works by inhibiting ATP citrate lyase, which is involved in cholesterol synthesis in the liver.
Esperion's bempedoic acid is already marketed in several regions, including the United States and Europe, for reducing hypercholesterolemia and cardiovascular risk. In 2020, Otsuka secured exclusive rights to develop and commercialize the drug in Japan.
InvestingPro Insights
Following the promising results from the Phase 3 trial of bempedoic acid, Esperion (NASDAQ:ESPR) has caught the attention of investors and analysts alike. According to real-time data from InvestingPro, Esperion boasts a significant revenue growth rate of 183.74% in the last twelve months as of Q1 2024, with an even more impressive quarterly revenue growth of 466.14% in Q1 2024. This growth narrative aligns with the company's recent clinical success and may signal a robust commercial potential for bempedoic acid.
InvestingPro Tips reveal that analysts are optimistic about Esperion's sales growth in the current year, which may be bolstered by the drug's potential expansion into the Japanese market. Meanwhile, despite the company not being profitable over the last twelve months, with a P/E Ratio (Adjusted) of -5.16, Esperion's liquid assets surpass its short-term obligations, indicating a solid financial position to support its ongoing operations and market pursuits.
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