Esperion rises as cholesterol drug succeeds in late-stage study in Japan

Esperion Therapeutics

20/05/2024 12:06

** Shares of Esperion Therapeutics  ESPR.O  rise 2.5% to
$2.42 premarket   
    ** ESPR says its drug to treat hypercholesterolemia, or high
levels of cholesterol in the blood, showed a significant
reduction of "bad" cholesterol levels in a late-stage study in
Japan
    ** The drug, bempedoic acid, was tested in 96 patients with
high LDL cholesterol who did not benefit from statins - ESPR
    ** LDL, also called "bad" cholesterol, leads to a buildup of
cholesterol in blood vessels and increases the risk of a stroke
or heart disease 
    ** Says Japan's Otsuka Pharmaceutical 2020 acquired
exclusive development and commercialization rights for bempedoic
acid in Japan 
    ** Otsuka plans to submit a marketing application for the
drug in Japan in H2 2024 -ESPR
    ** Bempedoic acid is sold in the U.S. and Europe for the
treatment of hypercholesterolemia and cardiovascular risk
reduction 
    ** Up to the last close, ESPR shares down ~21% YTD 

 (Reporting by Mariam Sunny in Bengaluru)
 ((Mariam.ESunny@thomsonreuters.com;))