ANN ARBOR, Mich., Jan. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Esperion Therapeutics,
Inc. (Nasdaq: ESPR) has entered into a license agreement with Nippon Chemiphar
Co., Ltd., to develop new small molecule therapies based on PPAR (peroxisome
proliferator activated receptor) delta agonists. In third-party pre-clinical
studies, PPAR delta agonists have been shown to elevate levels of HDL or "good
cholesterol."
Under the terms of the agreement, Esperion will have access to a broad
range of PPAR delta agonists for use in research and development. Nippon
Chemiphar will retain commercialization rights in Asia for any new product
candidates, while Esperion will have commercialization rights in the United
States, Europe and other markets outside Asia.
"The potential of HDL-based therapy to treat cardiovascular disease is one
of the most important and exciting areas of research today, and there is a
body of evidence suggesting that PPAR delta agonists could play an important
role in the development of oral therapies that may regulate lipids including
HDL-C," said Roger Newton, President and CEO of Esperion Therapeutics.
"Nippon Chemiphar's PPAR delta compounds are an excellent complement to
Esperion's novel lipid regulating therapies."
HDL plays a vital role in reverse lipid transport (RLT), the body's four-
step process of removing cholesterol and other lipids from artery walls and
other tissues and transporting them to the liver for elimination. PPAR delta
agonists are thought to enhance the first step of the RLT process, namely
cholesterol removal or efflux from peripheral cells, by increasing the
expression of a transporter called ABCA1. This results in an elevation of
levels of HDL-cholesterol in the blood.
Cardiovascular disease is currently the number one killer of both men and
women in the United States. Atherosclerosis, the most common form of
cardiovascular disease, is associated with the build up of cholesterol and
other lipids in artery walls.
Esperion Therapeutics
Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. discovers and develops pharmaceutical products
for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. 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. HDL is the primary facilitator of the
reverse lipid transport, or RLT, pathway by which excess cholesterol and other
lipids are removed from artery walls and other tissues and are transported to
the liver for elimination from the body. Esperion's goal is to develop drugs
that exploit the beneficial functions of HDL within the RLT pathway. Esperion
currently has four product candidates in clinical development. Esperion is
listed on the NASDAQ National Market under the symbol "ESPR."
Safe Harbor Statement
The information contained in this press release includes "forward-looking
statements." These forward-looking statements are often identified by words
such as "hope," "may," "believe," "anticipate," "plan," "expect," "require,"
"intend," "assume" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements speak
only as of the date of this press release, reflect management's current
expectations, estimations and projections and involve certain factors, such as
risks and uncertainties, that may cause actual results, performance or
achievements to be far different from those suggested by Esperion's forward-
looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, risks
associated with: uncertainty as to whether Esperion's acquisition by Pfizer
will be completed, Esperion's ability to successfully execute its business
strategies, including entering into strategic partnerships or other
transactions if the transaction with Pfizer is not completed; the progress and
cost of development of Esperion's product candidates; the extent and timing of
market acceptance of new products developed by Esperion or its competitors;
Esperion's dependence on third parties to conduct clinical trials for
Esperion's product candidates; the extent and timing of regulatory approval,
as desired or required, for Esperion's product candidates; Esperion's
dependence on licensing arrangements and strategic relationships with third
parties; clinical trials; manufacturing; Esperion's dependence on patents and
proprietary rights; litigation, proceedings, investigations and other
disruptions of management's time resulting from the acquisition of Esperion's
common stock by various persons associated with Scott Sacane; the procurement,
maintenance, enforcement and defense of Esperion's patents and proprietary
rights; competitive conditions in the industry; business cycles affecting the
markets in which any of Esperion's future products may be sold; extraordinary
events and transactions; seeking and consummating business acquisitions,
including the diversion of management's attention to the assimilation of the
operations and personnel of any acquired business; fluctuations in foreign
exchange rates; and economic conditions generally or in various geographic
areas. Because all of the foregoing factors are difficult to forecast, you
should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. More
detailed information about some of these and other risk factors is set forth
in Esperion's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Esperion
does not intend to update any of these factors or to publicly announce the
results of any revisions to any of these forward-looking statements other than
as required under the federal securities laws.
Company
Contact: Amy Cannon
Manager, Corporate Communications
Esperion Therapeutics, Inc.
(734) 222-1801
acannon@esperion.com
Media
Contact: Jim Wetmore
Berry & Company Public Relations
(212) 253-8881
jwetmore@berrypr.com
SOURCE Esperion Therapeutics, Inc.
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.esperion.com
CONTACT:
Company Contact: Amy Cannon, Manager,
Corporate Communications of Esperion Therapeutics, Inc.,
+1-734-222-1801, acannon@esperion.com ; or Media Contact: Jim
Wetmore of Berry & Company Public Relations, +1-212-253-8881,
jwetmore@berrypr.com , for Esperion Therapeutics, Inc.
|
