Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. - ESPR STOCK NEWS

Esperion announced positive results from a Phase 2 study published in Atherosclerosis, evaluating the combination of NEXLETOL (bempedoic acid), ezetimibe, and atorvastatin in hypercholesterolemia patients. The triple therapy resulted in a 60.5% reduction in LDL-C levels compared to placebo, with over 90% of patients achieving LDL-C levels <70 mg/dL. Despite these promising results, the small sample size and brief duration limit the study's conclusions. Adverse events were mostly mild to moderate, affirming the need for more research to confirm long-term effects.

ESPERION reported significant growth in its fourth quarter 2020, with total revenue reaching $9.6 million, a substantial increase from $1.0 million in Q4 2019. U.S. product revenue for the same period was $8.2 million, marking a 150% increase from Q3 2020. The company has over 21,000 patients on its NEXLETOL® and NEXLIZET® medications. Despite a net loss of $104.5 million for Q4 2020, the balance sheet remains strong with $305.0 million in cash and cash equivalents. Looking ahead, expected operating expenses for 2021 range from $320 million to $340 million.

Esperion (NASDAQ: ESPR) will announce its fourth quarter and full year 2020 financial results on February 23, 2021. Following the announcement, management will host a conference call at 4:30 p.m. ET to discuss the results and business progress. The call is accessible domestically at (877) 831-3840 and internationally at (253) 237-1184 with access code 2689156. A live audio webcast will also be available on Esperion's investor website, along with a replay accessible for 90 days.

Esperion (NASDAQ: ESPR) announced on January 28, 2021, that its Compensation Committee granted stock options and restricted stock units (RSUs) to 10 new employees, notably including newly appointed COO Sheldon Koenig. The stock options total 150,000 shares with an exercise price of $32.12, matching the closing stock price on the grant date. Additionally, 49,567 RSUs were awarded, 30,000 to Koenig. Vesting is structured with 25% after one year and the remainder in quarterly installments, contingent on continued employment.

Esperion reported preliminary fourth-quarter 2020 U.S. net product revenue of $8.0 to $8.5 million, achieving over 140% sequential growth for its products, NEXLETOL and NEXLIZET. The company projects total operating expenses for 2021 will range from $320 million to $340 million, which includes $30 million in non-cash stock compensation. Esperion has also in-licensed an oral PCSK9 inhibitor program, enhancing its portfolio of LDL-C lowering medications, and indicating a strategic expansion in non-statin treatment options.

Esperion (NASDAQ: ESPR) announced that CEO Tim M. Mayleben will present at the 39th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference on January 13, 2021, at 7:30 a.m. ET. The event will be conducted virtually, featuring a presentation and individual investor meetings. A live audio webcast will be available on the company’s investor relations page and can be accessed for 90 days post-event. Esperion is dedicated to developing oral medicines for LDL-C reduction, addressing the needs of millions with elevated cholesterol levels in the U.S.

NILEMDO® (bempedoic acid) and NUSTENDI® (bempedoic acid and ezetimibe) have received Swissmedic approval, marking a significant addition to cholesterol-lowering therapies in Switzerland. These treatments, which represent the first oral, once-daily options in nearly two decades, aim to assist patients struggling to reach their LDL-C targets. Approximately two-thirds of patients with high cardiovascular risk in Switzerland fail to meet these targets, underscoring the demand for additional therapies. Both products were initially approved in the EU and the US earlier this year.

Esperion (NASDAQ: ESPR) announced the appointment of Sheldon Koenig as Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately. With over 25 years of experience in the cardiovascular market, Koenig previously served at Portola Pharmaceuticals, achieving over $130M in Andexxa sales in its first year. He also held leadership roles at Sanofi and Merck. Koenig will lead Esperion's commercial team, succeeding Mark Glickman, who has exited the company. This strategic change aims to enhance Esperion's potential in delivering innovative LDL-C lowering medicines, especially for statin-averse patients.

Esperion announced significant results from pooled analyses of its Phase 3 trials for NEXLETOL (bempedoic acid), presented at AHA 2020. The drug showed a mean LDL-C reduction of 26.5% against placebo in statin-intolerant patients after 12 weeks. In analyses by sex, females experienced a 27.7% lowering, while males saw 22.1%. Generally, bempedoic acid was well tolerated. NEXLETOL, the first oral, once-daily non-statin LDL-C-lowering medication in nearly 20 years, received FDA approval in February 2020.