AMRN Amarin Corp PLC

Amarin Corporation plc (NASDAQ: AMRN), a pharmaceutical company focused on improving cardiovascular health, today announced that three Amarin-supported posters will be presented at the American Diabetes Association 79th Scientific Sessions in San Francisco, June 7 – 11, 2019.  All three posters highlight important findings regarding the challenges of current treatment options for diabetes patients with cardiovascular risks.  More than 30 million adults in the United States have diabetes, 10 million of whom are considered at elevated risk for cardiovascular events, despite being on cholesterol-management medicines.1,2

“What we have learned through our landmark clinical trial, REDUCE-ITTM, as well as other research, is that cholesterol and diabetes management is not enough to effectively treat cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes and other risk factors,” said Craig Granowitz, M.D., Ph.D., chief medical officer of Amarin.  “Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 cause of death in people with diabetes. We applaud the ADA for highlighting the need to better understand and address increased cardiovascular risk in patients with diabetes.”

Recently, the ADA issued important updates to its Standards of Care recommendations, now including a Level “A” recommendation to consider icosapent ethyl to reduce cardiovascular (CV) risk in patients with diabetes and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) or other cardiac risk factors on a statin with controlled LDL-C (bad cholesterol), but with elevated triglycerides (135-499 mg/dL), based on the outcome of the Reduction of Cardiovascular Events with Icosapent Ethyl–Intervention Trial (REDUCE-IT).

In REDUCE-IT, icosapent ethyl capsules provided a 25% relative risk reduction compared to placebo in the first occurrence of a major adverse CV event (MACE) in the intent-to-treat population consisting of a composite of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI or heart attack), nonfatal stroke, coronary revascularization (procedures such as stents and by-pass) and unstable angina requiring hospitalization. For total (first and subsequent) cardiovascular events, icosapent ethyl provided a statistically significant 30% risk reduction compared to placebo in the statin-treated patient population studied in REDUCE-IT.3,4 This total event result reflects that for every 1000 patients treated for 5 years, approximately 159 MACE (major adverse cardiovascular events) could be prevented with icospent ethyl versus placebo, including prevention of approximately 12 cardiovascular deaths, 42 heart attacks (myocardial infarctions), 14 strokes, 76 coronary revascularizations and 16 episodes of hospitalization for unstable angina. Among the patients studied, 59 percent had diabetes.

Adverse events occurring with icosapent ethyl use at greater than 5% and greater than placebo were: peripheral edema (6.5% icosapent ethyl versus 5.0%), although there was no increase in the rate of heart failure in icosapent ethyl patients; constipation (5.4% icosapent ethyl versus 3.6%), although mineral oil, as used as placebo, is known to lower constipation; and atrial fibrillation (5.3% icosapent ethyl versus 3.9%), although there were reductions in rates of cardiac arrest, sudden death and myocardial infarctions observed in icosapent ethyl patients. More information on safety data associated with REDUCE-IT is provided below.

Amarin-Supported Research to be Presented at the ADA Scientific Sessions

Poster Presentations

Association Between Triglycerides and Residual Cardiovascular (CVD) Risk in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Established CVD: An Analysis of the BARI2D Trial, Abstract 1472-P, Embargoed Until Saturday, June 8, 11:30 a.m (Pacific Daylight Time).

• Neha J. Pagidipati, M.D., MPH; Ann Marie Navar, M.D., Ph.D.; Hillary Mulder, M.S.; Daniel Wodjyla, M.S.; Sephy Philip, RPh, PharmD; Craig Granowitz, M.D., Ph.D.; Eric D. Peterson, M.D., MPH.

Long-term Statin Persistence is Poor Among High-Risk Patients with Baseline Diabetes: A Real-World Administrative Claims Analysis of the Optum Research Database, Abstract 616-P, Embargoed Until Monday, June 10, noon (Pacific Daylight Time),

• Peter P. Toth, M.D., Ph.D., Craig Granowitz, M.D., Ph.D. Michael Hull, MS; Sephy Philip, RPh, PharmD.

Late-Breaking Poster PresentationEicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) Inhibits Human HDL Oxidation in a Concentration-Dependent Manner at a Pharmacologic Dose in Vitro, Abstract 612-P; Embargoed Until Saturday, June 8, 11:30 a.m. (Pacific Daylight Time) (New Concepts in Lipidology); Monday, June 10, noon (Pacific Daylight Time) (General Poster Session)

• Samuel, C.R. Sheratt, B.S.; R. Preston Mason Ph.D.

About Amarin

Amarin Corporation plc. is a rapidly growing, innovative pharmaceutical company focused on developing therapeutics to improve cardiovascular health. Amarin’s product development program leverages its extensive experience in polyunsaturated fatty acids and lipid science. Vascepa (icosapent ethyl) is Amarin's first FDA-approved drug and is available by prescription in the United States, Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates. Amarin’s commercial partners are pursuing additional regulatory approvals for Vascepa in Canada, China and the Middle East. For more information about Amarin, visit www.amarincorp.com.

More About REDUCE-IT

REDUCE-IT3, an 8,179-patient cardiovascular outcomes study, was completed in 2018. REDUCE-IT was the first multinational cardiovascular outcomes study that evaluated the effect of prescription pure EPA therapy as an add-on to statins in patients with high cardiovascular risk who, despite stable statin therapy, had elevated triglyceride levels (at least 135 mg/dL). Fifty-nine percent of the male and female patients enrolled in this outcomes study were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. 

More information on the REDUCE-IT study results can be found at www.amarincorp.com.

About Cardiovascular Disease 

Worldwide, cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the No. 1 killer of men and women. In the United States, CVD leads to one in every three deaths – one death approximately every 38 seconds – with annual treatment cost in excess of $500 billion.5,6

Multiple primary and secondary prevention trials have shown a significant reduction of 25% to 35% in the risk of cardiovascular events with statin therapy, leaving significant persistent residual risk despite the achievement of target LDL-C levels.7

Beyond the cardiovascular risk associated with LDL-C, genetic, epidemiologic, clinical and real-world data suggest that patients with elevated triglycerides (TG) (fats in the blood), and TG-rich lipoproteins, are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. 8, 9,10,11

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 from degradation. 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.

Indication and Usage Based on Current FDA-Approved Label (not including REDUCE-IT results)

• 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 Based on Current FDA-Approved Label (not including REDUCE-IT results) (Includes Data from Two 12-Week Studies (n=622) (MARINE and ANCHOR) of Patients with Triglycerides Values of 200 to 2000 mg/dL) 

• Vascepa is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity (e.g., anaphylactic reaction) to Vascepa or any of its components.
• In patients with hepatic impairment, monitor ALT and AST levels periodically during therapy.
• 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.
• Adverse events and product complaints may be reported by calling 1-855-VASCEPA or the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
•  Patients receiving treatment with Vascepa and other drugs affecting coagulation (e.g., anti-platelet agents) should be monitored periodically.
• Patients should be advised to swallow Vascepa capsules whole; not to break open, crush, dissolve, or chew Vascepa.

FULL VASCEPA PRESCRIBING INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.VASCEPA.COM.

Important Safety Information for Vascepa based on REDUCE-IT, as previously reported in The New England Journal of Medicine3 publication of the primary results of the REDUCE-IT study: 

• Excluding the major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) results described above, overall adverse event rates in REDUCE-IT were similar across the statin plus Vascepa and the statin plus placebo treatment groups.
• There were no significant differences between treatments in the overall rate of treatment emergent adverse events or serious adverse events leading to withdrawal of study drug.
• There was no serious adverse event (SAE) occurring at a frequency of >2% which occurred at a numerically higher rate in the statin plus Vascepa treatment group than in the statin plus placebo treatment group.
• Adverse events (AEs) occurring in 5% or greater of patients and more frequently with Vascepa than placebo were: - peripheral edema (6.5% Vascepa patients versus 5.0% placebo patients), although there was no increase in the rate of heart failure in Vascepa patients- constipation (5.4% Vascepa patients versus 3.6% placebo patients), although mineral oil, as used as placebo, is known to lower constipation, and - atrial fibrillation (5.3% Vascepa patients versus 3.9% placebo patients), although there were reductions in rates of cardiac arrest, sudden death and myocardial infarctions observed in Vascepa patients
• There were numerically more SAEs related to bleeding in the statin plus Vascepa treatment group although overall rates were low with no fatal bleeding observed in either group and no significant difference in adjudicated hemorrhagic stroke or serious central nervous system or gastrointestinal bleeding events between treatments.
• In summary, Vascepa was well tolerated with a safety profile generally consistent with clinical experience associated with omega-3 fatty acids and current FDA-approved labeling of such products.

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. FDA has not reviewed and opined on a supplemental new drug application related to REDUCE-IT. FDA has not reviewed the information herein or determined whether to approve Vascepa for use to reduce the risk of MACE. 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.

Important Cautionary Information About These Data 

Further REDUCE-IT data assessment and data release could yield additional useful information to inform greater understanding of the trial outcome. For example, detailed data assessment by regulatory authorities, such as the FDA and Health Canada, will continue and take several months to complete and announce. The final evaluation by regulatory authorities of the totality of efficacy and safety data from REDUCE-IT may include some or all of the following, as well as other considerations: new information or analyses affecting the degree of treatment benefit on studied endpoints; study conduct and data robustness, quality, integrity and consistency; additional safety data considerations and risk/benefit considerations; and consideration of REDUCE-IT results in the context of other clinical studies. Because regulatory reviews are typically fluid and not definitive interactions between sponsor and agency on individual elements of an application and related information, Amarin does not plan to update investors on ongoing communications with regulatory authorities. Amarin plans to announce the final outcome of such regulatory reviews when appropriate.  

Recurrent event analyses for the total primary endpoint events and for the total key secondary endpoint in REDUCE-IT as published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology were conducted using a series of statistical models. These analyses were tertiary or exploratory endpoints; most of the models used were prespecified and one was post hoc. Each recurrent event statistical model has inherent strengths and weaknesses, with no single model considered definitive or outperforming the other models, and this is an evolving field of science. Nonetheless, results from the total primary and total key secondary endpoint events analyses are consistent across the various recurrent event statistical models and are also consistent with the original primary and secondary endpoint results. Together, the REDUCE-IT recurrent event analyses and the original primary and key secondary endpoint analyses support the robustness of the clinical benefit of Vascepa therapy in reducing cardiovascular risk.

Forward-Looking Statements 

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including expectations regarding FDA regulatory review, the applicability and reliability of REDUCE-IT results, expected outcome and timing of review elements and market dynamics for Vascepa. These forward-looking statements are not promises or guarantees and involve substantial risks and uncertainties. In addition, Amarin's ability to effectively commercialize Vascepa will depend in part on its ability to continue to effectively finance its business, efforts of third parties, its ability to gain regulatory approvals, create market demand for Vascepa through education, marketing and sales activities, to achieve market acceptance of Vascepa, to receive adequate levels of reimbursement from third-party payers, to develop and maintain a consistent source of commercial supply at a competitive price, to comply with legal and regulatory requirements in connection with the sale and promotion of Vascepa and to maintain patent protection for Vascepa. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described or projected herein include the following: uncertainties associated generally with research and development, clinical trials and related regulatory reviews and approvals; the risk that sales may not meet expectations and related cost may increase beyond expectations; the risk that patents may not be upheld in patent litigation and applications may not result in issued patents sufficient to protect the Vascepa franchise. 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 quarterly report on Form 10-Q. 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 (www.amarincorp.com), the investor relations website (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.

References 

1Fan W, Philip S., Granowitz C, Toth P, Wong N. Prevalence and Predictors of Residual Hypertriglyceridemia According to Statin Use in US Adults with Diabetes. Presented at the American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions, June 22-26, 2018, Orlando, Florida

2 Fan W, Philip S, Granowitz C, et al. Hypertriglyceridemia in statin-treated US adults: the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. J Clin Lipidol. 2019;13(1):100-108.

3Bhatt DL, Steg PG, Miller M, et al. Cardiovascular Risk Reduction with Icosapent Ethyl for Hypertriglyceridemia. N Engl J Med 2019; 380:11-22.

4Bhatt DL, Steg PG, Miller M, et al. Effects of Icosapent Ethyl on Total Ischemic Events: From REDUCE-IT. J Am Coll Cardiol 2019. Epub ahead of print. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2019.02.032.

5American Heart Association. 2018. Disease and Stroke Statistics-2018 Update.

6 American Heart Association. 2017. Cardiovascular disease: A costly burden for America projections through 2035.

7 Ganda OP, Bhatt DL, Mason RP, et al. Unmet need for adjunctive dyslipidemia therapy in hypertriglyceridemia management. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2018;72(3):330-343.

8 Budoff M. Triglycerides and triglyceride-rich lipoproteins in the causal pathway of cardiovascular disease. Am J Cardiol. 2016; 118:138-145.

9 Toth PP, Granowitz C, Hull M, et al. High triglycerides are associated with increased cardiovascular events, medical costs, and resource use: A real-world administrative claims analysis of statin-treated patients with high residual cardiovascular risk. J Am Heart Assoc. 2018;7(15): e008740.

10 Nordestgaard BG. Triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease - New insights from epidemiology, genetics, and biology. Circ Res. 2016; 118:547-563.

11 Nordestgaard BG, Varbo A. Triglycerides and cardiovascular disease. Lancet. 2014; 384:626–635.

Amarin Contact Information

Media Inquiries:  Gwen Fisher  Corporate Communications Amarin Corporation plc In U.S.: +1 (908) 325-0735 pr@amarincorp.com 

Investor Inquiries: Elisabeth Schwartz Investor Relations  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