- Company Plans to Initiate Phase 2b Study in Statin Intolerant Patients in the Fourth Quarter of 2013 -

Plymouth, Mich., June 7, 2013 -- Esperion Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing first-in-class, oral, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering therapies for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, today announced positive top-line results from a Phase 2a clinical study of its lead product candidate ETC-1002 in patients with hypercholesterolemia with a history of intolerance to two or more statins. The study met its primary endpoint, demonstrating that ETC-1002 lowered LDL-C by an average of 32 percent and was well tolerated. These data will be submitted for presentation at a future medical meeting and for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

“I view this level of LDL-C reduction as comparable to what is seen with mid-dose statins,” said Paul D. Thompson, M.D., Director of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research at Hartford Hospital, and Professor of Medicine at the University of Connecticut. “These patients have very limited therapeutic options. Therefore, a well-tolerated medication that significantly lowers LDL-C could benefit this underserved patient population.”

Esperion plans to initiate a Phase 2b clinical study of ETC-1002 that will include patients with hypercholesterolemia and a history of statin intolerance by the end of 2013. The Company expects that the Phase 2b study will be designed to evaluate multiple doses of ETC-1002 in a parallel group design of up to 12 weeks in duration with ezetimibe, a common treatment for statin intolerance, as a comparator. Therapies most often prescribed for patients with hypercholesterolemia and a history of statin intolerance have reported average LDL-C lowering of up to 18 percent in pivotal clinical studies. The goal of the Phase 2b study is to demonstrate comparable tolerability with superior efficacy of ETC-1002 to ezetimibe for the treatment of patients with hypercholesterolemia who are intolerant to two or more statins due to muscle-related adverse events.

Phase 2a Study in Patients with Hypercholesterolemia and a History of Statin Intolerance

This Phase 2a proof-of‑concept clinical study was designed to evaluate the LDL-C lowering efficacy, safety and tolerability of ETC-1002 compared with placebo in patients with hypercholesterolemia and a history of intolerance to two or more statins. Study participants were dosed for eight weeks starting at 60 mg for two weeks, followed by 120 mg, 180 mg and 240 mg for two weeks each (or placebo only for eight weeks).

A total of 56 patients were evaluated in the study. A total of 37 patients were randomized to receive ETC-1002 and 19 patients received placebo. Thirty-one (84 percent) ETC-1002 patients and 15 (79 percent) placebo patients completed eight weeks of treatment. Three patients in the placebo group withdrew from the study for muscle related reasons while no patients in the ETC-1002 group withdrew for the same reasons. ETC-1002 lowered LDL-C by an average of 32 percent compared with an LDL-C reduction of 3 percent in the placebo group (p<0.0001).

High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), a recognized marker for inflammation, was significantly reduced after eight weeks of ETC-1002 therapy.

Adverse event rates overall were comparable between the ETC-1002 and placebo groups with muscle-related adverse events similar between groups as well. No serious adverse events (SAE) were observed among placebo patients, and one unrelated SAE occurred in the ETC-1002 treatment group. No patients in the ETC-1002 treated group discontinued the study because of myalgia (muscle pain or weakness).

About Statin Intolerance

According to the USAGE survey, an academic study of approximately 10,000 current and former statin users published in 2012 in the Journal of Clinical Lipidology, approximately 12 percent of patients on statins discontinue therapy, and 62 percent of these patients cited side effects as the reason for discontinuation. More than 86 percent of patients who discontinued therapy because of side effects cited myalgia as the primary reason for discontinuing their statin. Based on these data, it is estimated that approximately 6 percent of statin users, or more than 2 million adults in the United States, ceased therapy because of myalgia and are therefore considered to be statin intolerant. Poor statin adherence can be associated with worse cardiovascular outcomes.

About ETC-1002

ETC-1002 is a first-in-class, orally available, once-daily LDL-C lowering small molecule therapy designed to lower levels of LDL-C and to avoid many of the side effects associated with many of the existing LDL-C lowering therapies. In the liver, ETC-1002 targets inhibition of ATP citrate lyase (ACL), a key enzyme in the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway, and activates a complementary enzyme, 5’-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK).

Esperion is currently conducting a Phase 2a clinical study of ETC-1002 in combination with statin therapy in patients with hypercholesterolemia. Top-line results are expected in the third quarter of 2013.

Phase 2 clinical studies of ETC-1002 conducted to date have demonstrated clinically meaningful LDL-C reductions of up to 43 percent, as well as reductions comparable to statins in levels of hsCRP, a key marker of inflammation associated with cardiovascular disease. In clinical research to date, ETC-1002 has been well tolerated. To date, one serious adverse event, considered unrelated to ETC-1002, has been observed in 275 patients treated with ETC-1002 at doses of up to 240 mg.

About Esperion Therapeutics

Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the research, development and commercialization of therapies for the treatment of patients with elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and other cardiometabolic risk factors. ETC-1002, Esperion’s lead product candidate, is a unique, first-in-class, orally available, once-daily LDL-C lowering small molecule therapy designed to lower levels of LDL-C and to avoid many of the side effects associated with existing LDL-C lowering therapies. ETC-1002 is targeted for statin intolerant patients with elevated levels of LDL-C. For more information, please visit www.esperion.com.

 -- Data Presented at ATVB 2013 Scientific Sessions --

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., [May 2, 2013] -- Esperion Therapeutics, Inc., a privately-held clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing first-in-class, oral low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering therapies for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and other cardiometabolic disorders, today announced full results of a Phase 2 clinical trial of ETC-1002 in patients with Type 2 diabetes and hypercholesterolemia. The trial met its primary endpoint, demonstrating that ETC-1002 lowered LDL-C by up to 43 percent and was associated with improvements in control of other cardiometabolic risk factors. In addition, ETC-1002 was well tolerated.

The data were presented here in an oral session at the Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology (ATVB) 2013 Scientific Sessions. Esperion previously announced topline results from this clinical trial in January 2013.

Esperion is currently evaluating ETC-1002 in multiple Phase 2 clinical trials in more targeted patient populations. These include a Phase 2 trial in patients with hypercholesterolemia who are intolerant to statin therapy and a Phase 2 trial of ETC-1002 in combination with statin therapy in patients with hypercholesterolemia.

“We are encouraged by both the significant efficacy observed, as well as the tolerability results in this trial, especially since there were no reported cases of myalgia. Our clinical program is primarily focused on statin intolerant and resistant patients where tolerability of ETC-1002 is an important factor,” said Roger S. Newton, Ph.D., chairman and chief scientific officer of Esperion. “We believe that these results show that ETC-1002 has the potential to be developed in broader patient populations with multiple cardiometabolic risk factors, especially in patients who suffer from both hypercholesterolemia and diabetes.”

Phase 2 Trial Design and Results

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group, single-site, Phase 2 trial assessed the LDL-C lowering efficacy and safety of ETC-1002 compared with placebo in patients with Type 2 diabetes. A total of 60 patients with a history of Type 2 diabetes (HbA1C 7-10 percent), a body mass index (BMI) of 25-35 kg/m², and LDL-C >100 mg/dL were randomized to ETC-1002 (80 mg followed by 120 mg) or placebo for four weeks and treated in an inpatient unit where their diet and lifestyle were controlled.

After 2 weeks of treatment with 80 mg of ETC-1002, LDL-C was reduced by an average of 32 percent (p<0.0001), while after an additional 2 weeks of 120 mg of ETC-1002, LDL-C was reduced by an average of 43 percent (p<0.0001) compared with 6 percent and 3 percent reductions, respectively, for those patients treated with placebo. ETC-1002 also significantly reduced non-HDL-C (by 30 percent; p=0.0001) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and blood pressure (in a subset of patients with high blood pressure) compared with placebo. ETC-1002 had neutral effects on other lipids, including triglycerides and HDL-C.

The most common adverse events in the ETC-1002 treated group (experienced by more than 5 percent of trial participants) were headache, hyperglycemia, constipation, arthralgia, dry eye and viral upper respiratory tract infection. The most common adverse events in the placebo-treated group were headache, hyperglycemia, dry eye, viral upper respiratory tract infection, pruritus, abdominal pain, nausea and dizziness. Importantly, no patients discontinued the trial because of myalgia, hypoglycemia or hypotension.

About Statin Intolerance and ETC-1002

It is estimated that more than 2 million U.S. adults have discontinued statin therapy because of myalgia (muscle pain or weakness). Symptoms of myalgia occur in up to 20 percent of patients on statin therapy in clinical practice.

ETC-1002 is a first-in-class, orally available, once-daily LDL-C lowering small molecule therapy designed to target known lipid and carbohydrate metabolic pathways to lower levels of LDL-C and to avoid many of the side effects associated with existing LDL-C lowering therapies. Phase 2 clinical trials of ETC-1002 conducted to date have demonstrated significant average LDL-C reductions, as well as reductions comparable to statins in levels of hsCRP, a key marker of inflammation associated with cardiovascular disease. In clinical research to date, ETC-1002 has been well tolerated. No serious adverse events have been observed in more than 230 patients treated with ETC-1002.

Unlike some therapies currently in development that, if approved, will require regular injections, ETC-1002 is an oral pill taken once daily, the same way traditional LDL-C lowering therapies are administered. ETC-1002 is targeted for statin-intolerant patients with elevated levels of LDL-C.

About Esperion Therapeutics

Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the research, development and commercialization of therapies for the treatment of patients with elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and other cardiometabolic risk factors. ETC-1002, Esperion’s lead product candidate, is a novel, first-in-class, orally available, once-daily LDL-C lowering small molecule therapy designed to target known lipid and carbohydrate metabolic pathways to lower levels of LDL-C and to avoid many of the side effects associated with existing LDL-C lowering therapies. ETC-1002 is targeted for statin-intolerant patients with elevated levels of LDL-C. For more information, please visit www.esperion.com.

Esperion AMPk ACL JLR Manuscript Jan 2013

ANN ARBOR, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Esperion Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing first-in-class, oral low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering therapies for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and other cardiometabolic disorders, today announced that it has completed a $33 million preferred stock financing led by new investor Longitude Capital. Existing investors Aisling Capital, Alta Partners, Domain Associates, Arboretum Ventures and Asset Management also participated in the financing. In connection with this financing, Longitude’s Patrick Enright will join Esperion’s board of directors.

“This financing allows us to continue to advance our novel lead product candidate, ETC-1002, for which we have 100 percent worldwide rights, in multiple ongoing and planned Phase 2 clinical trials,” said Tim Mayleben, Esperion’s president and chief executive officer.

About ETC-1002 and Statin Intolerance

ETC-1002 is a first-in-class, orally available, once-daily LDL-C lowering small molecule therapy designed to target known lipid and carbohydrate metabolic pathways to lower levels of LDL-C and to avoid many of the side effects associated with existing LDL-C lowering medications. Phase 2a clinical trials of ETC-1002 conducted so far have demonstrated significant average LDL-C reductions as high as 43% and reductions comparable to statins in levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein, or hsCRP, a key marker of inflammation associated with cardiovascular disease.

ETC-1002 has been well tolerated and not associated with serious side effects, and there have been no serious adverse events in over 230 ETC-1002 treated patients. Unlike some therapies currently in development that, if approved, will require regular injections, ETC-1002 is an oral pill taken once daily, the same way traditional LDL-C lowering therapies have been administered.

It is estimated that more than two million U.S. adults have discontinued statin therapy because of muscle pain or weakness. Because symptoms of muscle pain or weakness occur in up to 20 percent of patients on statin therapy in clinical practice, Esperion believes the size of the statin-intolerant market is poised to grow if a novel non-statin therapy becomes available.

“I am very pleased to become involved with Esperion,” added Patrick Enright of Longitude. “I look forward to working with Roger, Tim and the entire Esperion team to realize the full potential of ETC-1002 in patients with elevated LDL-C who cannot tolerate statin therapy.”

“To date, we have used our resources efficiently to get us to this critical stage of development with what I believe is an LDL-C lowering therapy with differentiated non-statin mechanisms,” added Roger Newton, Ph.D., Esperion’s executive chairman and chief scientific officer. “We intend to use this financing to advance ETC-1002 through the next important phase of development.”

About Esperion Therapeutics

Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the research, development and commercialization of therapies for the treatment of patients with elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and other cardiometabolic risk factors. ETC-1002, Esperion’s lead product candidate, is a novel, first-in-class, orally available, once-daily LDL-C lowering small molecule therapy designed to target known lipid and carbohydrate metabolic pathways to lower levels of LDL-C and to avoid many of the side effects associated with existing LDL-C lowering therapies. ETC-1002 is targeted for statin-intolerant patients with elevated levels of LDL-C. For more information, please visit www.esperion.com.

About Aisling Capital

Aisling Capital, a leading private equity firm headquartered in New York with $1 billion under management, invests in products, technologies and businesses that advance health. In addition to investing in companies developing pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and medical products, Aisling invests in businesses that provide drug development, manufacturing and other important services to the healthcare industry. For more information, please visit www.aislingcapital.com.

About Alta Partners

Alta Partners is a San Francisco-based venture capital firm focused on life sciences investing. Founded in 1996, the firm has raised over $2 billion in committed capital through eight venture fund programs. Alta invests in biopharmaceutical and medical technology companies across the development continuum, from company formation to later-stage opportunities, and has funded more than 130 life sciences companies to date. For more information, please visit www.altapartners.com.

About Arboretum Ventures

Arboretum Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm specializing in the healthcare sector. Arboretum invests throughout the United States, with a special interest in the Midwest region. Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Ann Arbor, MI, Arboretum currently manages $240 million in capital. For more information, please visit www.arboretumvc.com.

About Asset Management

Asset Management was founded in 1965 by Franklin "Pitch" Johnson, formerly of Draper and Johnson. Over nearly half a century, the firm has provided early-stage financing for groundbreaking companies such as Amgen, Tandem Computer and Applied BioSystems. Today, the firm continues its diversified investing approach by deploying capital in early-stage companies focused on therapeutics, digital health, big data analytics and mobility. The firm is run by a leadership team comprised of former operators with expertise in science, engineering and medicine. For more information, please visit www.assetman.com.

About Domain Associates

Domain Associates, L.L.C. is a venture capital firm founded in 1985 with an exclusive focus on life sciences. With $2 billion of capital under management, Domain is headquartered in Princeton, NJ with a second office in San Diego, CA. For more information, please visit www.domainvc.com.

About Longitude Capital

Longitude Capital, an investment firm with over $700 million in assets under management, focuses on venture growth investments in the life sciences industry. The firm targets investment opportunities in privately held biotechnology and medical device companies that are clinically de-risked and have well-defined capital requirements. Longitude also actively invests in PIPEs and structured transactions in publicly traded companies. Longitude has offices in Menlo Park, CA and Greenwich, CT. For more information, please visit www.longitudecapital.com.

Data show LDL-C lowering of up to 43% and beneficial effects on other relevant cardiometabolic risk factors to be presented at a future scientific meeting.

Plymouth, MI [Jan 7, 2013] - Esperion Therapeutics, the leading developer of small molecule therapies for the treatment of cardiometabolic disorders, today announced positive results of a recently completed Phase 2 clinical trial of ETC-1002 in patients with type 2 diabetes with LDL-C lowering of up to 43% compared to placebo. ETC-1002 therapy was also associated with improvements in control of additional cardiometabolic risk factors in this high-risk, difficult-to-treat patient population.  The full data from this Phase 2 clinical trial will be presented at a future scientific meeting.

ETC-1002 is an investigational, once-daily, oral small molecule therapy that has been shown to be liver selective for activation of AMP kinase and inhibition of ATP citrate lyase.  This dual mechanism of action has the potential to regulate imbalances in both hepatic lipid and carbohydrate metabolism.  In the Phase 2 trial, 60 patients with type 2 diabetes received ETC-1002 or placebo for four weeks in an inpatient facility. In clinical research to date, ETC-1002 has shown an attractive safety profile, significant and consistent LDL-C lowering and beneficial effects on hsCRP, glucose and other cardiometabolic risk factors.  ETC-1002 is currently being studied in multiple Phase 2 clinical trials.

“With these results, ETC-1002 has now been shown to be safe and well-tolerated in two Phase 2 studies. We continue to rapidly advance ETC-1002 through Phase 2 clinical development and we are exploring its efficacy in additional patient populations, with a particular focus on the growing statin-intolerant patient population. We look forward to presenting our clinical results in peer-reviewed settings later this year,” said Tim Mayleben, president and CEO of Esperion.

“People living with type 2 diabetes are at high risk for cardiovascular disease.  For many, treatment with statins and other cardiometabolic therapies can impair glycemic control, potentially putting them at increased risk. With a novel mechanism of action designed to lower LDL-C and provide beneficial effects on glucose control, ETC-1002 has the potential to offer significant advantages for patients living with type 2 diabetes and for patients who are statin intolerant and/or not at the appropriate National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) LDL-C goal,” said Dr. Roger Newton, executive chairman and chief scientific officer of Esperion.

About Esperion Therapeutics

Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. discovers and develops novel therapies for the treatment of cardiometabolic diseases. The company’s lead product candidate, ETC-1002, is an AMP kinase activator and ATP citrate lyase inhibitor that is being evaluated in multiple Phase 2 clinical trials for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and other cardiometabolic risk factors.  Esperion intends to commercialize innovative, first-in-class therapies focused on enhancing lipid regulation, addressing statin intolerance and improving overall cardiometabolic health. For more information, please visit www.esperion.com.

Media Contact
Andrea Coan
Berry & Company Public Relations
212-253-8881
acoan@berrypr.com

Founder Roger Newton becomes executive chairman and chief scientific officer. 

PLYMOUTH, MI [Jan 4, 2013] - Esperion Therapeutics, the leading developer of small molecule therapies for the treatment of cardiometabolic disorders, today announced that Tim Mayleben has been named president and CEO of the company.  Roger Newton, Ph.D., FAHA, who is the founder of Esperion and has been serving as its president and CEO, will become executive chairman and chief scientific officer.

Most recently, Mr. Mayleben was president and CEO at Aastrom Biosciences.  Previously, he was an advisor to life science and healthcare companies through his advisory and investment firm, ElMa Advisors, president, COO and a director of NightHawk Radiology, and chief operating officer and CFO of the original Esperion Therapeutics, which Dr. Newton also founded.  While at Esperion, Mr. Mayleben raised more than $200 million in venture and institutional equity capital and negotiated the sale of Esperion to Pfizer for $1.3 billion in February 2004.

“We’ve made tremendous progress with ETC-1002, our novel small molecule LDL-C lowering therapy for treating statin-intolerant and statin-resistant patients.  I’m excited that Tim is re-joining me at the new Esperion.  He’s the ideal person to help guide Esperion through the next phases of our growth and development.  At the original Esperion, Tim’s outstanding business acumen and judgment played a critical role in our success at every stage.  We are very pleased that he will be joining us as our president and CEO,” said Dr. Newton.

Esperion's most advanced product candidate, ETC-1002, is in Phase 2 clinical trials for patients with hypercholesterolemia and other cardiometabolic risk factors.  ETC-1002 is a small-molecule metabolic regulator of imbalances in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism and inflammation.  It is being developed to address the underlying causes of metabolic diseases and reduce multiple risk factors associated with them.  In preclinical and clinical studies to date, treatment with ETC-1002 has been shown to be safe and well-tolerated while producing statin-like reductions in LDL-C and inflammatory markers. 

“Under Roger’s leadership, the development of Esperion’s lead compound ETC-1002 has advanced rapidly and shown tremendous clinical and therapeutic potential.  I am excited to be working with Roger again and look forward to helping the Esperion team realize the full potential of ETC-1002 and our broader portfolio of lipid-regulating therapies to treat cardiometabolic diseases. I share their passion and commitment to this important therapeutic area and believe the next few years will be a very exciting and rewarding time for Esperion,” Mr. Mayleben said.

About Esperion Therapeutics

Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. discovers and develops novel therapies for the treatment of cardiometabolic diseases. The company’s lead product candidate, ETC-1002, is an AMP kinase activator and ATP citrate lyase inhibitor that is being evaluated in multiple Phase 2 clinical trials for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and other cardiometabolic risk factors.  Esperion intends to commercialize innovative, first-in-class therapies focused on enhancing lipid regulation, addressing statin intolerance and improving overall cardiometabolic health. For more information, please visit www.esperion.com.

Media Contact
Andrea Coan
Berry & Company Public Relations
212-253-8881
acoan@berrypr.com

PLYMOUTH, MI [Jan 3, 2013] - Esperion Therapeutics, the leading developer of small molecule therapies for the treatment of cardiometabolic disorders, today announced that company founder Roger Newton, Ph.D., will present at the 31^st Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco. Dr. Newton’s presentation will take place on Tuesday, January 8, at 3 PM PST in Elizabethan C/D Room 120 of the Westin St. Francis Hotel. 

About Esperion Therapeutics

Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. discovers and develops novel therapies for the treatment of cardiometabolic diseases. The company’s lead product candidate, ETC-1002, is an AMP kinase activator and ATP citrate lyase inhibitor that is being evaluated in multiple Phase 2 clinical trials for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and other cardiometabolic risk factors.  Esperion intends to commercialize innovative, first-in-class therapies focused on enhancing lipid regulation, addressing statin intolerance and improving overall cardiometabolic health. For more information, please visit www.esperion.com.

Media Contact
Andrea Coan
Berry & Company Public Relations
212-253-8881
acoan@berrypr.com

The adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a metabolic sensor of energy metabolism at the cellular as well as whole-body level. It is activated by low energy status that triggers a switch from ATP-consuming anabolic pathways to ATP-producing catabolic pathways. AMPK is involved in a wide range of biological activities that normalizes lipid, glucose, and energy imbalances. These pathways are dysregulated in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS), which represents a clustering of major cardiovascular risk factors including diabetes, lipid abnormalities, and energy imbalances. Clearly, there is an unmet medical need to find a molecule to treat alarming number of patients with MetS. AMPK, with multifaceted activities in various tissues, has emerged as an attractive drug target to manage lipid and glucose abnormalities and maintain energy homeostasis. A number of AMPK activators have been tested in preclinical models, but many of them have yet to reach to the clinic. This review focuses on the structure-function and role of AMPK in lipid, carbohydrate, and energy metabolism. The mode of action of AMPK activators, mechanism of anti-inflammatory activities, and preclinical and clinical findings as well as future prospects of AMPK as a drug target in treating cardio-metabolic disease are discussed.

Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. announced today that President and CEO Dr. Roger Newton will be presenting at Windhover's 7^th Annual Therapeutic Area Partnerships Conference taking place on November 28-30, 2012 at the Westin Copley Place in Boston, MA.

BioCentury 05.13.12 - [1] Promiscuous Use

Eric Topol of Scripps makes his case that statins are overused to prevent heart disease, posing a "clear-cut" risk of diabetes, especially with certain statins. He suggests NIH could fund studies to elucidate the risks.

BioCentury 05.13.12 - [2] On the Edge

Roger Blumenthal of Johns Hopkins agrees high cholesterol alone shouldn't determine statin use to manage risk of heart attacks, while the biggest risk of diabetes is for people whose blood sugar is "on the edge."

BioCentury 05.13.12 - [3] Measuring Risk

Blumenthal: Doctors, patients should account for multiple risk factors to determine when statins could be life-saving. Esperion CEO Roger Newton: Much more needs to be learned about individual biochemistry.

BioCentury 05.13.12 - [4] FDA Warnings

Given new FDA warnings, Newton advises physicians to probe patients for symptoms that could lead to a lowering of statin doses. He and Blumenthal agree diet and exercise remain key to keeping blood sugar under control.

Plymouth, MI [April 8, 2012] – Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. today announced the appointment of Noah Rosenberg, MD, as its chief medical officer (CMO).  Dr. Rosenberg will lead the Esperion clinical advisory board and will develop and manage the company’s clinical programs.  He will also manage the regulatory review process for the company’s innovative investigational therapies to prevent, treat and reverse cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.  In addition, Dr. Rosenberg will play an instrumental role in corporate planning related to financing to support the ongoing development of the company’s novel portfolio.

“Dr. Rosenberg is a terrific addition to the Esperion team,” commented Esperion’s president and CEO, Roger Newton, adding, “After an extensive nationwide search, Noah’s broad industry-specific experience and his passion for translating basic research to therapeutic applications impressed me most.  He has a proven track record of establishing, building and leading teams in cardiometabolic disease with a focus on results-driven drug development.”

Over the past decade, Dr. Rosenberg has held senior posts in the pharmaceutical industry, including leadership roles in medical affairs, clinical development and administration in the US and globally at Pfizer, sanofi-aventis and Forest Labs. He has experience working on compounds in all phases of drug development including late stage drugs such as Lipitor and Lantus. Most recently at Forest Research Institute (FRI), , he led the successful in-licensing of the GK1-399 program and, until his departure, served as a standing member of the Joint Development Committee (JDC) with partner TransTech Pharma.  Noah also coordinated the successful integration of the Forest cardiovascular and metabolism clinical development teams and managed the group through a highly productive period, helping to strengthen a pipeline that ultimately included compounds such as bystolic and azimilide.  Dr. Rosenberg was trained in internal medicine at The Mount Sinai Hospital/Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, where he also served as a faculty member in internal medicine and emergency medicine.  He earned a MD from Drexel University and a BA in natural sciences from The Johns Hopkins University. 

"I am excited at the prospect of working with such an innovative research team.  Esperion has an established reputation for productivity and success and I look forward to moving novel therapies such as ETC-1002 further along in clinical development,” Dr. Rosenberg said.

About Esperion Therapeutics
Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. discovers and develops novel therapies for the treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. The company intends to commercialize innovative, first-in-class therapies focused on promoting cardio-metabolic health. For more information please visit www.esperion.com.

Data presented at the 61^st Annual American College of Cardiology Meeting

Plymouth, Michigan [March 25, 2012]- Esperion Therapeutics, a privately held biotechnology company working to discover, develop and commercialize treatments for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, today announced positive results from a Phase 2 clinical trial for ETC-1002. This novel small molecule activator of AMP Kinase has demonstrated preclinical and clinical activity as a metabolic regulator of imbalances in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism.  Results were presented today in an oral presentation at the 2012 American College of Cardiology meeting in Chicago.  

In this 12-week, randomized, multi-center, double-blind, placebo controlled study, 177 dyslipidemic subjects were evaluated to assess the lipid regulating safety and efficacy of ETC-1002. The primary objective of the study was to assess the LDL-C lowering using daily doses of ETC-1002 up to 120 mg/day or placebo for the duration of the study.  Secondary objectives included assessing the ability of ETC-1002 to lower plasma triglycerides and to beneficially modulate other lipid and non-lipid biomarkers. In addition, safety and tolerability and pharmacokinetic analyses were performed.  Results from the Phase 2 trial show that in subjects treated with ETC-1002, LDL-C levels were maximally decreased up to 27% after two weeks of treatment and was sustained over the remaining ten weeks.  Other relevant biomarkers, including Apo B, LDL-P (NMR) and nonHDL-C, were also significantly decreased.

According to the Cardiometabolic Disease Association, an estimated 47 million Americans have cardio-metabolic disease.  New tools and effective treatment strategies are needed to prevent, delay and manage cardio-metabolic disease and address this growing health problem.   The Phase 2 study results also indicate that ETC-1002 was safe and well-tolerated in the subjects tested.  Post-hoc analyses demonstrated that ETC-1002 had beneficial effects on insulin, hsCRP and blood pressure.  

“These clinically meaningful data indicate that ETC-1002 rapidly regulated plasma lipids, blood pressure, inflammation and insulin in subjects with dyslipidemia,” said Roger Newton PhD, president and CEO of Esperion. “While statin therapy is the gold standard, many patients require additional treatment options to reach their ATP III LDL-C goals. These findings also support ETC-1002 as a potential new agent to not only lower LDL-C, but also beneficially regulating other cardio-metabolic risk factors in pre-diabetic and diabetic dyslipidemic patients.  We look forward to advancing ETC-1002 to the next stage of clinical development to further investigate its pharmacological effects as a metabolic regulator at higher doses.

"These are promising results with clinically meaningful improvements in LDL-C and other measures of atherogenic lipoproteins -- and with good tolerability and safety," said Christie M. Ballantyne, M.D., director of the Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention at the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center and the director of the The Maria and Alando J. Ballantyne, M.D., Atherosclerosis Clinical Research Laboratory at the Baylor College of Medicine. "These results provide the rationale for larger and longer studies to learn more about the safety limits of this drug, and to look at whether this drug augments traditional statin treatments."

About Esperion Therapeutics
Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. discovers and develops novel therapies for the treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. The company intends to commercialize innovative, first-in-class therapies focused on promoting cardio-metabolic health. For more information please visit www.esperion.com.

For immediate release

Esperion announces results from phase 1 study
And four preclinical studies for etc-1002

Data from five studies presented in oral and poster presentations at Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology 2011 Scientific Sessions.


Plymouth, Michigan [May 2, 2011] - Esperion Therapeutics, a privately held biotechnology company working to discover, develop and commercialize treatments for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, today announced the results from a Phase 1 study and four preclinical studies for ETC-1002 at the Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology 2011 Scientific Sessions in Chicago. In the Phase 1 study, treatment with ETC-1002 was shown to be safe and well tolerated and to significantly reduce LDL-C levels in subjects with mild dyslipidemia.

ETC-1002, the company’s lead product candidate, is a novel small molecule that has demonstrated preclinical and clinical activity as a metabolic regulator of imbalances in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. It is being developed to treat dyslipidemia and other cardio-metabolic risk factors. Mechanistic studies indicate that treatment with ETC-1002 increases AMP-kinase phosphorylation, inhibits fatty acid and cholesterol synthesis and also enhances fatty acid oxidation. In the Phase 1 study, treatment with ETC-1002 resulted in consistent, dose-related reductions in LDL-C. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study included 32 subjects treated with daily doses of ETC-1002 up to 120 mg or placebo for 14 days and 21 subjects treated with 120 mg of ETC-1002 or placebo for 28 days.

"Cardio-metabolic diseases remain the number one cause of death in people around the world, and research indicates that an effective agent to manage both plasma lipids and glucose could offer significant benefit to millions of patients. The results of our Phase 1 study show a statistically significant lowering of LDL-C in mildly dyslipidemic subjects and a favorable safety profile, and serve as a solid foundation for clinical evaluation in patients with other cardio-metabolic abnormalities,” said Roger Newton, PhD, President and CEO of Esperion.

In addition to the results of the Phase 1 study, results from four separate preclinical studies for ETC-1002 were also presented at ATVB this week. In an oral presentation, results from a study of hyperlipidemic hamsters showed that ETC-1002 was able to lower proatherogenic lipoproteins in plasma, reduce adiposity, decrease body weight gain and improve hepatic steatosis. ETC-1002 was also shown to improve plasma lipid profiles, hepatic triglyceride content and glycemic control in a KKAy mouse model of diabetes. Of key importance, these favorable changes resulted in the inhibition of aortic lipid deposition in a LDL receptor-deficient mouse model of atherosclerosis.

"These preclinical studies provide significant additional support for continuing efforts to develop ETC-1002. A Phase 2 lipid study for ETC-1002 is underway while an additional Phase 2 study to assess the effects of ETC-1002 on glucose control will begin soon. We are aggressively working to advance this promising therapy to late stage clinical research,” Dr. Newton added.

About Esperion Therapeutics

Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. discovers and develops novel therapies for the treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. The company intends to commercialize innovative, first-in-class therapies focused on promoting cardio-metabolic health. For more information please visit www.esperion.com.


Media Contact
Agnes Cao
Berry & Company Public Relations
212-253-8881
acao@berrypr.com

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Company’s first mid-stage clinical program to focus on patients with dyslipidemia

Plymouth, Michigan [6 January 2011] - Esperion Therapeutics, a privately held biotechnology company working to discover, develop and commercialize treatments for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, today announced that it has initiated a Phase 2 clinical study for ETC-1002, the company’s lead product candidate. ETC-1002 is a novel small molecule compound that has demonstrated preclinical and clinical activity as a metabolic regulator of imbalances in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. The compound acts to inhibit fatty acid and cholesterol synthesis and enhance fatty acid oxidation. ETC-1002 has the potential to regulate LDL-C, HDL-C, triglycerides, glucose/insulin and other cardio-metabolic risk factors.

The 12-week, multi-site, randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study will enroll 176 patients with hypercholesterolemia, with or without high triglycerides, to assess the role of ETC-1002 in lipid regulation (LDL-C and triglycerides). This Phase 2 trial builds on positive data from the Phase 1 program in which ETC-1002 demonstrated a statistically significant lowering of LDL-C in mildly dyslipidemic subjects and a favorable safety profile in both single and multiple-dose studies in more than 70 patients. A second Phase 2 clinical study is planned in 2011 to validate other attributes observed in preclinical studies with ETC-1002 which further support its pharmacological effects as a metabolic regulator.

"Cardio-metabolic diseases remain the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among men and women in industrialized countries worldwide," said Roger Newton, PhD, President and CEO of Esperion. "Our preclinical research has shown ETC-1002 regulates lipids, atherosclerosis, inflammation and glucose/insulin. These data, along with the accumulating clinical evidence, suggest that ETC-1002 may be an effective therapy to regulate metabolic imbalances in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism and could play a significant role in the treatment of patients with symptoms characterized by metabolic syndrome. The efforts to advance ETC-1002 complement Esperion’s other research and development program, focused on optimizing an HDL therapy in a strategic partnership with the Cleveland Clinic.”

About Esperion Therapeutics

Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. discovers and develops novel therapies for the treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. The company intends to commercialize innovative, first-in-class therapies focused on promoting cardio-metabolic health. For more information please visit www.esperion.com.

Therapeutics developed using TransGenRx advanced protein expression technology to be used in collaborative research at Esperion and Cleveland Clinic targeting new therapies to treat cardio-metabolic disease.

Plymouth, Michigan [June 21, 2010] - Esperion Therapeutics, a privately held biopharmaceutical company working to discover, develop and commercialize treatments for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, today announced that TransGenRx, a global leader in transgenic technology, will produce protein-based therapeutics to be used in the company’s research efforts targeting HDL therapies for the treatment of cardio-metabolic disease. Under the terms of the agreement, TransGenRx will coordinate production of protein-based therapies for a range of research needs using a proprietary expression system.

Researchers at Esperion are working to develop novel therapies to treat cardio-metabolic disease including therapies based on HDL, the body's "good" cholesterol, which has been shown to play an important role in lipid management. The company's development platform includes therapies designed to mimic or enhance the function of HDL in managing and removing cholesterol and other lipids from atherosclerotic plaques. Researchers at Esperion have initiated preclinical and clinical research related to a variety of pathways for better lipid regulation to treat the full spectrum of cardio-metabolic diseases, from early risk factors to acute coronary syndromes and atherosclerosis.

"While HDL continues to show great promise in the treatment of cardiovascular disease, there have been significant challenges in the development of protein-based drug therapies. By working with the outstanding research and technology team at TransGenRx, we are positioned to access one of the most advanced, cost-effective protein expression technologies in the world to supply the protein-based therapies we will use in our research," said Roger Newton, PhD, President and CEO of Esperion. "This collaboration represents a tremendous advantage in our efforts to identify and access complex protein-based therapies that will lead to new treatments for cardio-metabolic disease in the years ahead."

On June 14, 2010, Esperion announced the establishment of a collaborative research agreement with the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, one of the world’s leading academic medical centers. In this collaboration teams at Esperion and Cleveland Clinic are working to advance research involving HDL mimetics and other protein-based therapies to treat cardiovascular disease.

"In terms of both cost and complexity, the development of protein-based therapies requires broad expertise and targeted, advanced technology to be successful. At TransGenRx, our proprietary protein expression technology is uniquely suited to meet the key challenges in the production of therapeutic proteins, and we look forward to supporting the important work by the teams at Esperion and Cleveland Clinic in efforts to develop promising new HDL therapies," said Richard Cooper, PhD, Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer.

About TransGenRx

TransGenRx, a bio-pharmaceutical manufacturing company, has developed technology that significantly reduces the cost of producing protein-based drugs by using a high expressing avian cell line combined with a patented vector system. Patented and patent-pending processes allow TGRx to develop custom proteins to meet a wide range of specifications. The company’s core technology involves the targeted integration of a desired gene sequence into virtually any animal or cell culture system and the controlled expression of that sequence to achieve a desired outcome (protein production, gene therapy, etc.) The Louisiana State University Agricultural Center has had an established research relationship with TransGenRx since 2002. For information visit www.tgrxinc.com.

About Esperion Therapeutics

Esperion Therapeutics, Inc., located in Plymouth, Michigan, discovers and develops novel therapies for the treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. The company is funded by top tier venture capital investors, including Aisling Capital, Alta Partners, Arboretum Ventures, Asset Management Company and Domain Associates. For more information please visit www.esperion.com.


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Program involving leading researchers in HDL will work to advance multiple development programs targeting new therapies to treat cardio-metabolic disease.

Esperion Therapeutics, a privately held biopharmaceutical company working to discover, develop and commercialize treatments for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, today announced the establishment of a collaborative research agreement with Cleveland Clinic, one of the world's leading academic medical centers. The collaboration will work to advance research targeting new HDL therapies to treat cardiovascular disease.

The research will be led by Stanley L. Hazen, M.D., Ph.D., Director, Center for Cardiovascular Diagnostics and Prevention at Cleveland Clinic, and Jonathan D. Smith, Ph.D., Staff, Department of Cell Biology of Cleveland Clinic's Lerner Research Institute.

"When Esperion was first founded, we collaborated with Cleveland Clinic in a research effort that showed for the first time that HDL can reverse atherosclerosis in acute coronary patients. The results were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2003," said Roger Newton, Ph.D., President and CEO of Esperion. "When we re-established Esperion in 2008, our goal was to continue this research tradition. We are once again bringing together the outstanding resources and expertise at both Esperion and Cleveland Clinic to advance important research efforts in HDL in the years ahead."

Researchers at Esperion are working to develop novel therapies to treat cardio-metabolic disease including therapies based on HDL, the body's "good" cholesterol, which has been shown to play an important role in lipid management. The company development platform includes therapies designed to mimic or enhance the function of HDL in managing and removing cholesterol and other lipids from atherosclerotic plaques. Researchers at Esperion have initiated preclinical and clinical research related to a variety of pathways for better lipid regulation to treat the full spectrum of cardio-metabolic diseases, from early risk factors to acute coronary syndromes and atherosclerosis.

"Cleveland Clinic has had a long history of researching HDL as it relates to cardiovascular disease. We hope this collaboration will further our ability to identify and advance new therapies to regulate lipids and treat cardio-metabolic disease effectively," said Dr. Hazen.

The collaboration agreement was developed in conjunction with Cleveland Clinic Innovations, the corporate venturing arm of Cleveland Clinic. The collaboration will further expand Esperion's established focus on research in lipid regulating therapies. In November 2009 the company initiated a Phase I clinical study for ETC-1002, a novel small molecule compound designed to beneficially regulate levels of plasma lipids and lipoproteins. ETC-1002 is being developed to treat dyslipidemia, an early-stage risk factor of coronary artery disease and associated metabolic syndromes. ETC-1002 targets lipid metabolism in two ways: first, by inhibiting fatty acid and cholesterol synthesis; and second, by enhancing oxidation of fatty acids. ETC-1002 therefore has the potential to lower LDL-C and triglycerides and also to increase HDL-C.

"We have seen over the past decade the potential for HDL therapies to have a positive impact on our ability to treat cardiovascular disease. In collaboration with the Esperion team, our goal is to identify the most promising opportunities to use HDL therapy to treat disease and improve human health in the years ahead," Dr. Smith said.

About Esperion Therapeutics

Esperion Therapeutics, Inc., located in Plymouth, Michigan, discovers and develops novel therapies for the treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. The company is funded by top tier venture capital investors including Alta Partners, Aisling Capital, Domain Associates, Arboretum Ventures and Asset Management Company. For more information please visit www.esperion.com.

SOURCE Esperion Therapeutics

http://www.youtube.com/user/michiganu ... 2CC8693B4B7/2/gjj8BvHN84I March 8, 2010

Milestone marks the entry of Esperion into clinical-stage development

Plymouth, Michigan [13 November 2009] - Esperion Therapeutics, a privately held biotechnology company working to discover, develop and commercialize treatments for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, today announced that the company has initiated a Phase I clinical study for ETC-1002, the company’s novel small molecule compound designed to beneficially regulate the levels of plasma lipids and lipoproteins. The single escalating dose study in healthy volunteers will be the first clinical study conducted by Esperion since the re-establishment of the company in May 2008.

ETC-1002 is being developed to treat dyslipidemia, an early-stage risk factor of coronary artery disease and associated metabolic syndromes. The compound targets lipid metabolism in two ways: first, by inhibiting fatty acid and cholesterol synthesis; and second, by enhancing oxidation of fatty acids. ETC-1002 therefore has the potential to lower LDL-C and triglycerides and also to increase HDL-C.

"Our pre-clinical research related to ETC-1002 has been very promising, and we are pleased to advance this new product candidate to clinical development. ETC-1002 is the flagship product of our dyslipidemia program, and it will also be the first product in our pipeline to reach clinical-stage development,” said Roger Newton, PhD, FAHA, president and CEO of Esperion Therapeutics. “Just over a year and a half following the re-establishment of Esperion, we continue to progress toward our goal of bringing breakthrough cardiovascular and metabolic disease therapies to market.”

Cardio-metabolic diseases are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among men and women in industrialized countries around the world.

“We are very well positioned to move ahead with the development effort for ETC-1002 as we also advance our other promising pre-clinical research programs in both acute and chronic therapies to treat cardiovascular and metabolic disorders,” Mr. Newton added.

About Esperion Therapeutics
Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. discovers and develops novel therapies for the treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. The company intends to commercialize innovative, first-in-class therapies focused on promoting cardio-metabolic health. For more information please visit www.esperion.com.

Media Requests

BusinessWire, February 9, 2009

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home ... s-BIOZONA-2009-Conference

Pfizer Inc Spinout of Esperion Therapeutics - Founding Team to Focus on HDL Therapies As a Private Entity ANN ARBOR, Mich. & NEW YORK-- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. a biopharmaceutical company formed to focus on the discovery and development of compounds to treat cardiovascular and metabolic disease, today announced that it has been launched as a privately held, independent enterprise. Pfizer Inc, under which Esperion previously operated as a separate research division, has sold Esperion Therapeutics, holding selected programs and related assets, to an entity funded by a syndicate of investors. Pfizer retains a financial interest in the enterprise. Additional financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Co-led by Aisling Capital, Alta Partners and Domain Associates, the tranched financing for Esperion also included participation by Arboretum Ventures. This support will allow further development of the Company's lead program for the treatment of dyslipidemias, as well as other potentially high density lipoprotein (HDL)-related therapeutics. Esperion Therapeutics will be led by Dr. Roger Newton, the original co-founder, CEO and President of the Company. Esperion will continue to leverage the scientific expertise and resources that reside in its Ann Arbor, Mich., headquarters. As part of the spinout from Pfizer, Esperion will retain a small molecule dual inhibitor of fatty acid and cholesterol synthesis, for the treatment of dyslipidemias. "We are extremely pleased to be working with such a strong group of investors as Esperion Therapeutics continues our important work in treating cardiovascular and metabolic disease," stated CEO Dr. Roger Newton. "Re-establishing Esperion as a privately held entity ensures that the programs we have obtained will continue to advance as potentially important therapeutics. Without Pfizer's support, we would not have this opportunity to focus on these potential opportunities." "Pfizer's contribution to the formation of the new Esperion shows the Company is embracing new strategies to refocus its R&D and create value from exited compounds," said Martin Mackay, president of Pfizer Global Research & Development. "This transaction also enables Esperion to pursue its interests as a Michigan-based life science company while allowing Pfizer to support a new research venture and be involved in Esperion's potential success." Esperion's Dr. Newton has 27 years experience in the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries. Most recently, he was the Senior Vice President of Pfizer Global Research and Development and Director of Esperion Therapeutics, a Pfizer Inc subsidiary. Prior to co-founding Esperion, Dr. Newton was an executive at Warner-Lambert/Parke-Davis (now Pfizer) from 1981-1998. As chairman of the Atherosclerosis Drug Discovery Team, he co-discovered and was product champion of atorvastatin (Lipitor®). "We are excited to have the opportunity to work with Dr. Newton and his outstanding team of scientists," said Alison de Bord, Director at Alta Partners. "We believe that Esperion will establish itself as a leading player in the development of HDL therapies." Alison de Bord of Alta Partners, Dov Goldstein of Aisling Capital, and Nicole Vitullo of Domain Associates have joined Esperion's board of directors in conjunction with the financing. About Esperion Therapeutics Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. discovers and develops pharmaceutical products for the treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Esperion intends to commercialize a novel class of drugs that focuses on a new treatment approach called "HDL Therapy," which is based on the Company's understanding of high-density lipoprotein, or HDL, function. About Pfizer Inc Pfizer discovers and develops innovative medicines to treat and help prevent disease for both people and animals. We also partner with healthcare providers, governments and local communities around the world to expand access to our medicines and to provide better quality healthcare and health system support. About Aisling Capital Aisling Capital, a leading private equity firm headquartered in New York with US$1 billion under management, invests in products, technologies and businesses that advance health. In addition to investing in companies developing pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and medical products, Aisling invests in businesses that provide drug development, manufacturing and other important services to the healthcare industry. www.aislingcapital.com About Alta Partners Alta Partners is a San Francisco-based venture capital firm focused on life sciences investing. Founded in 1996, the firm has raised over $2 billion in committed capital through eight venture fund programs. Alta invests in biopharmaceutical and medical technology companies across the development continuum, from company formation to later-stage opportunities, and has funded more than 130 life sciences companies to date. www.altapartners.com About Arboretum Ventures Arboretum Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm specializing in the healthcare sector. Arboretum invests throughout the United States, with a special interest in the Midwest region. Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Arboretum currently manages $85 million in capital. www.arboretumvc.com About Domain Associates Domain Associates, L.L.C. is a venture capital firm founded in 1985 with an exclusive focus on life sciences. With $2 billion of capital under management, Domain is headquartered in Princeton, NJ with a second office in San Diego, CA. www.domainvc.com Pfizer Inc Media: Shreya Jani, 212-733-4889 / 917-743-4349 Rick Chambers, 269-760-0770 or Investors: Suzanne Harnett, 212-733-8009 Or Esperion: Jennifer James, 415-362-4022