Amarin Corporation plc (NASDAQ:AMRN) today announced that
Switzerland’s Swissmedic has granted approval to VAZKEPA (icosapent
ethyl). Swissmedic approved VAZKEPA to reduce risk of
cardiovascular events in adult statin-treated patients at high
cardiovascular risk with elevated triglycerides (≥ 150 mg/dL [≥ 1.7
mmol/L]) and established cardiovascular disease, or diabetes and at
least one other cardiovascular risk factor1.
In parallel with the regulatory submission,
Amarin had already initiated the process for obtaining national
pricing and reimbursement in Switzerland, which is expected to
conclude in the course of 2023.
According to the European Heart Network, the
burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is greater than that of any
other disease and the leading cause of death in Europe and in the
world. 60 million people are living with CVD in the EU, with 13
million new cases of CVD each year2. Also in Switzerland,
cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of death – and
the third most common cause of hospitalization – in the
country3.
“This latest regulatory approval of VAZKEPA in
Switzerland not only underscores the urgent need for proven
therapies to help address residual cardiovascular risk for patients
globally, it is also another example of an international health
authority recognizing the value of our robust scientific evidence
and innovative treatment to meet this need,” said Steven Ketchum,
PhD., President, Research & Development and Chief Scientific
Officer, Amarin.
The approval in Switzerland marks the sixth
approval for the VASCEPA/VAZKEPA franchise within 2022. The
approval also underpins the importance of Switzerland for Amarin’s
European operations, having established its European Regional Hub
in Zug, Switzerland in 2021. Today, the Company’s Zug office is the
home to over 30 employees covering both local Swiss commercial and
medical roles as well as global and regional roles providing
support for the European teams.
Laurent Abuaf, SVP and President Amarin Europe:
“Today’s regulatory approval of VAZEKPA in Switzerland is an
important step as we seek national pricing and reimbursement and
consider building out our local Swiss operations in support of a
commercial launch in 2023. Switzerland is one of the most reputable
and innovative biotech hubs in the world, with over 1,000 biotech
and leading healthcare companies being based here. This provides
companies such as Amarin with access to a tremendous talent pool
that we are leveraging today in our regional hub to enable launch
acceleration across Europe.”
About
Amarin
Amarin is an innovative pharmaceutical company
leading a new paradigm in cardiovascular disease management. From
our foundation in scientific research to our focus on clinical
trials, and now our commercial expansion, we are evolving and
growing rapidly. Amarin has offices in Bridgewater, New Jersey in
the United States, Dublin in Ireland, Zug in Switzerland, and other
countries in Europe as well as commercial partners and suppliers
around the world. We are committed to increasing the scientific
understanding of the cardiovascular risk that persists beyond
traditional therapies and advancing the treatment of that
risk.
About VAZKEPA® (icosapent ethyl)
Capsules
VAZKEPA capsules are the first prescription
treatment comprised solely of the active ingredient, icosapent
ethyl, a highly purified form of eicosapentaenoic acid. Since
launch, icosapent ethyl has been prescribed over 18 million times.
In addition to the United States, icosapent ethyl is approved and
sold in Canada, Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates under the brand
name VASCEPA. In March 2021, marketing authorization was granted to
icosapent ethyl in the European Union under the brand name VAZKEPA
to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in adult statin-treated
patients at high cardiovascular risk with elevated triglycerides (≥
150 mg/dL [≥ 1.7 mmol/L]) and established cardiovascular disease or
diabetes and at least one other cardiovascular risk factor4. In
April 2021 marketing authorization for VAZKEPA (icosapent ethyl)
was granted in Great Britain (applying to England, Scotland and
Wales). VAZKEPA (icosapent ethyl) is currently approved and sold in
Europe in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Austria and the UK.
EU Product Information
VAZKEPA® (ICOSAPENT ETHYL) 998 MG SOFT CAPSULES
This medicine is subject to additional monitoring. This will
allow quick identification of new safety information. Healthcare
professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse
reactions.
Indication: Vazkepa is indicated to reduce the risk of
cardiovascular events in adult statin-treated patients at high
cardiovascular risk with elevated triglycerides (≥150 mg/dL; ≥ 1.7
mmol/L) and either: established cardiovascular disease, or diabetes
and at least one other cardiovascular risk factor.
Further information about the Summary of Product Characteristics
(SmPC) for VAZKEPA® in Europe, can be found here.
Globally, prescribing information varies; please refer to the
individual country product label for complete information.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements which are
made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including beliefs about
Amarin’s regulatory approval in Switzerland and the potential
impact in that country; Amarin’s overall efforts to expand access
and reimbursement to VAZKEPA across global markets; and the overall
potential and future success of VASCEPA/VAZKEPA generally. These
forward-looking statements are not promises or guarantees and
involve substantial risks and uncertainties. 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
Amarin’s annual report on Form 10-K for the full year ended 2021.
Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue
reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as
of the date they are made. Amarin undertakes no obligation to
update or revise the information contained in its forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events
or circumstances or otherwise. Amarin’s forward-looking statements
do not reflect the potential impact of significant transactions the
company may enter into, such as mergers, acquisitions,
dispositions, joint ventures or any material agreements that Amarin
may enter into, amend or terminate.
Availability of Other Information About
Amarin
Amarin communicates with its investors and the public using the
company website (www.amarincorp.com) and the investor relations
website (investor.amarincorp.com), including but not limited to
investor presentations and 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
Inquiries: Lisa DeFrancescoAmarin Corporation
plc IR@amarincorp.com
Media Inquiries: Mark Marmur Amarin Corporation
plc PR@amarincorp.com
_____________________________ 1 Swissmedic
Journal:
https://www.swissmedic.ch/swissmedic/de/home/ueber-uns/publikationen/swissmedic-journal/swissmedic-journal-2022.html2
European Heart Network. Fighting cardiovascular disease – a
blueprint for EU action
https://ehnheart.org/eu-action-on-cvd.html#:~:text=Most%20recent%20data%20from%20the,of%20CVD%20occur%20every%20year.
Accessed November 20223
https://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/en/home/statistiken/kataloge-datenbanken/publikationen.assetdetail.1543-2200.html4
Vazkepa® (icosapent ethyl): Summary of Product Characteristics.
Available from:
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/vazkepa-epar-product-information_en.pdf
[accessed Nov 2022]
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