Amarin Corporation plc (NASDAQ:AMRN), a biopharmaceutical
company focused on the commercialization and development of
therapeutics to improve cardiovascular (CV) health, presented
an analysis showing that, consistent with overall study results
from the ANCHOR trial, in statin-treated patients with persistent
high triglycerides (TG) (200–499 mg/dL) and elevated hsCRP ≥2.0
mg/L, prescription pure EPA Vascepa 4 g/day significantly reduced
TGs, other potentially atherogenic lipids and inflammatory
parameters without increasing LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) vs. placebo.
The poster was presented at the American College of Cardiology 67th
Annual Scientific Session and Expo in Orlando, Florida.
The poster, “Icosapent Ethyl (Eicosapentaenoic
Acid Ethyl Ester) Reduces Potentially Atherogenic Lipid,
Lipoprotein, Apolipoprotein, and Inflammatory Parameters in
High-Risk, Statin-Treated Patients With Persistent Elevated
Triglycerides and High-Sensitivity C-reactive Protein: A Post hoc
Subanalysis of the ANCHOR Study,” reported that in statin-treated
patients with TGs 200–499 mg/dL and hsCRP ≥2.0 mg/L, icosapent
ethyl 4 g/day significantly reduced TGs and other potentially
atherogenic and inflammatory parameters without increasing LDL-C
vs. placebo. There was an 18%, statistically significant reduction
of hsCRP as compared to placebo in this 12-week ANCHOR post-hoc
analysis (p=0.02). Safety results were comparable to placebo, also
consistent with overall ANCHOR study results.
The limitations of this analysis in
statin-treated patients with hsCRP ≥2.0 mg/L and high TG at
baseline include the modest sample size (n=126 and n=120, in the
icosapent ethyl and placebo groups, respectively) and the post hoc
nature of the analysis. hsCRP is a high-sensitivity quantification
of C-reactive protein, an acute-phase protein released into the
blood by the liver during inflammation, which has been associated
with the presence of heart disease. As hsCRP is an acute-phase
reactant and has high intra-individual variability, a single test
for hsCRP, as was performed at each timepoint of the ANCHOR trial,
may not accurately reflect an individual patient’s basal or
on-treatment hsCRP levels. Repeat measurement may be required to
firmly establish an individual's basal hsCRP concentration, as well
as to accurately understand treatment-induced changes in hsCRP.
Moderate hsCRP levels (1-10 mg/L) have been associated with
cardiovascular disease.
The ANCHOR study was not designed to determine
effects on hsCRP or CV events. The ANCHOR trial was a multi-center,
placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, 12-week pivotal Phase
3 study in patients with high TGs (≥200 mg/dL and <500 mg/dL)
who were also on statin therapy. 702 patients were enrolled in this
trial. The primary endpoint in the trial was the percentage change
in TG levels from baseline of Vascepa-treated subjects compared to
placebo after 12 weeks of treatment. In April 2011, Amarin reported
top-line results from the ANCHOR trial. The ANCHOR trial met its
primary and secondary endpoints.
The clinical relevance of these data has not
been determined. Amarin’s REDUCE-IT trial is evaluating the
potential benefit of icosapent ethyl on CV outcomes in
statin-treated patients with high CV risk, including some patients
with hsCRP ≥2.0 mg/L.
“We are excited to show the impact of Vascepa on
these lipid and inflammatory biomarkers in patients with elevated
hsCRP levels,” expressed Michael Miller, MD. “The clinical
community is looking forward to seeing the upcoming read-out of the
REDUCE-IT trial.”
The authors of this study were Michael Miller, MD, Department of
Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD;
Christie M. Ballantyne, MD, Department of Medicine, Baylor College
of Medicine and the Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular
Center, Houston, TX; Harold E. Bays, MD, Louisville Metabolic and
Atherosclerosis Research Center, Louisville, KY; Craig Granowitz,
MD, PhD, Ralph T Doyle, Rebecca A. Juliano, PhD, & Sephy
Philip, RPh, PharmD, Amarin Pharma, Inc., Bedminster, NJ.
About Amarin
Amarin Corporation plc is a biopharmaceutical
company focused on the commercialization and development of
therapeutics to improve cardiovascular health. Amarin's
product development program leverages its extensive experience in
lipid science and the potential therapeutic benefits of
polyunsaturated fatty acids. Vascepa® (icosapent ethyl),
Amarin's first FDA-approved product, is a highly-pure, omega-3
fatty acid product available by prescription. For more
information about Vascepa visit www.vascepa.com. For more
information about Amarin visit www.amarincorp.com.
About REDUCE-IT
Amarin's clinical development program for
Vascepa includes a trial known as the REDUCE-IT cardiovascular
outcomes study, an 8,175-patient study commenced in 2011. REDUCE-IT
is the first multinational cardiovascular outcomes study evaluating
the effect of prescription pure EPA therapy, or any triglyceride
lowering therapy, as an add-on to statins in patients with high
cardiovascular risk who, despite stable statin therapy, have
elevated triglyceride levels (150-499 mg/dL). A large portion of
the male and female patients enrolled in this outcomes study are
anticipated to also be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. As reported
previously, Amarin expects to announce top-line results of this
important study before the end of Q3 2018. The REDUCE-IT trial is
being conducted under a Special Protocol Assessment agreement with
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Additional information on clinical studies of
Vascepa can be found at www.clinicaltrials.gov.
About VASCEPA® (icosapent ethyl)
Capsules
Vascepa® (icosapent ethyl) capsules are a
single-molecule prescription product consisting of the omega-3 acid
commonly known as EPA in ethyl-ester form. Vascepa is not fish oil,
but is derived from fish through a stringent and complex
FDA-regulated manufacturing process designed to effectively
eliminate impurities and isolate and protect the single molecule
active ingredient. Vascepa, known in scientific literature as
AMR101, has been designated a new chemical entity by the FDA.
Amarin has been issued multiple patents internationally based on
the unique clinical profile of Vascepa, including the drug’s
ability to lower triglyceride levels in relevant patient
populations without raising LDL-cholesterol levels.
FDA-Approved Indication and Usage
- Vascepa (icosapent ethyl) is
indicated as an adjunct to diet to reduce triglyceride (TG) levels
in adult patients with severe (≥500 mg/dL)
hypertriglyceridemia.
- The effect of Vascepa on the risk
for pancreatitis and cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in
patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia has not been
determined.
Important Safety Information for Vascepa
- Vascepa is contraindicated in
patients with known hypersensitivity (e.g., anaphylactic reaction)
to Vascepa or any of its components.
- Use with caution in patients with
known hypersensitivity to fish and/or shellfish.
- The most common reported adverse
reaction (incidence > 2% and greater than placebo) was
arthralgia (2.3% for Vascepa, 1.0% for placebo). There was no
reported adverse reaction > 3% and greater than placebo.
- Patients receiving treatment with
Vascepa and other drugs affecting coagulation (e.g., anti-platelet
agents) should be monitored periodically.
- In patients with hepatic
impairment, monitor ALT and AST levels periodically during
therapy.
- Patients should be advised to
swallow Vascepa capsules whole; not to break open, crush, dissolve,
or chew Vascepa.
- Adverse events and product
complaints may be reported by calling 1-855-VASCEPA or the FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088.
FULL VASCEPA PRESCRIBING INFORMATION CAN BE
FOUND AT WWW.VASCEPA.COM.
Vascepa has been approved for use by the United
States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an adjunct to diet to
reduce triglyceride levels in adult patients with severe (≥500
mg/dL) hypertriglyceridemia. Nothing in this press release should
be construed as promoting the use of Vascepa in any indication that
has not been approved by the FDA.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking
statements, including statements about the potential efficacy and
therapeutic benefits of Vascepa, including statements about the
unknown clinical relevance of the findings presented as well as
statements concerning the REDUCE-IT cardiovascular outcomes study
such as the anticipated inclusion of certain patient populations,
related timing and announcements with respect to final outcomes and
the anticipated successful completion of the REDUCE-IT study. These
forward-looking statements are not promises or guarantees and
involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Among the factors that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those
described or projected herein include uncertainties associated
generally with retrospective subset analyses, research on
biomarkers thought to be relevant in the treatment of
cardiovascular disease, research and development and clinical trial
risk generally, including the risk that study results in modest
sample sizes may not be predictive of future results in larger
studies, that studied parameters may not have clinically meaningful
effect and the risk that patents may not adequately protect Vascepa
against competition. A further list and description of these risks,
uncertainties and other risks associated with an investment in
Amarin can be found in Amarin's filings with the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on
Form 10-K. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to
place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which
speak only as of the date hereof. Amarin undertakes no obligation
to update or revise the information contained in this press
release, whether as a result of new information, future events or
circumstances or otherwise.
Availability of Other Information About
Amarin
Investors and others should note that Amarin
communicates with its investors and the public using the company
website (http://www.amarincorp.com/), the investor relations
website (http://investor.amarincorp.com/), including but not
limited to investor presentations and investor FAQs, Securities and
Exchange Commission filings, press releases, public conference
calls and webcasts. The information that Amarin posts on
these channels and websites could be deemed to be material
information. As a result, Amarin encourages investors, the
media, and others interested in Amarin to review the information
that is posted on these channels, including the investor relations
website, on a regular basis. This list of channels may be
updated from time to time on Amarin’s investor relations website
and may include social media channels. The contents of
Amarin’s website or these channels, or any other website that may
be accessed from its website or these channels, shall not be deemed
incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of
1933.
Amarin Contact Information
Investor Relations:Elisabeth Schwartz Investor
Relations and Corporate Communications Amarin Corporation plc
In U.S.: +1 (908) 719-1315 investor.relations@amarincorp.com
Lee M. Stern Trout Group In U.S.: +1 (646) 378-2992
lstern@troutgroup.com Media Inquiries: Kristie Kuhl Finn
Partners In U.S.: +1 (212) 583-2791
Kristie.kuhl@finnpartners.com
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