Esperion Therapeutics develops and commercializes therapies for cardiometabolic and rare/orphan diseases, with a commercial focus on oral, once-daily, non-statin LDL-C treatments for patients at risk for cardiovascular disease. Company news commonly covers NEXLETOL bempedoic acid data, CLEAR Outcomes analyses, dyslipidemia guideline developments, financial results, business updates, and material agreements.
Esperion's news also reflects portfolio expansion through its completed acquisition of Corstasis Therapeutics and Enbumyst bumetanide nasal spray, an FDA-approved loop diuretic for edema associated with congestive heart failure and hepatic or renal disease in adults. Additional recurring topics include ACLY biology, product commercialization, pipeline work in Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis and renal diseases, and governance or capital-structure matters.
Esperion (NASDAQ: ESPR) announced that it will release its second quarter 2021 financial results on August 3, 2021, before U.S. market opening. Following the announcement, a conference call and webcast will be held at 8:00 a.m. ET to discuss the financial outcomes and business developments. Participants can join by calling specific numbers or accessing the live audio webcast on Esperion's investor site. Esperion focuses on innovative cholesterol-lowering medications, commercializing NEXLETOL and NEXLIZET.
Esperion (NASDAQ: ESPR) announced the granting of stock options and restricted stock units (RSUs) to 31 new employees on June 28, 2021. The total options granted amounted to 88,692 shares, awarded primarily to the new Chief Medical Officer, JoAnne Foody. Additionally, 99,313 RSUs were allocated, with 62,528 going to Ms. Foody. The options have an exercise price of $22.52 per share, equal to the stock's closing price on the grant date. These equity awards are part of the 2017 Inducement Equity Incentive Plan aimed at attracting new talent.
ESPERION has announced the appointment of JoAnne Micale Foody, MD, as its new Chief Medical Officer. This strategic hire aims to enhance the company's leadership in cardiovascular care, particularly in advancing the CLEAR Outcomes trial and its PCSK9 inhibitor program. Dr. Foody brings over 20 years of experience in cardiology and has held significant positions at Johnson & Johnson. Her expertise is expected to bolster ESPERION's capabilities in clinical development and medical affairs, which is critical as the company works to improve cholesterol management therapies.
Esperion (NASDAQ: ESPR) announced management participation in two virtual conferences in June 2021. The events include the Jefferies Virtual Healthcare Conference on June 1, 2021, featuring a fireside chat at 2:00 p.m. ET, and the JMP Securities Life Sciences Conference on June 16, 2021, starting at 12:00 p.m. ET. Live audio webcasts will be available on the investor relations section of their website, with replays archived for 90 days. Esperion focuses on innovative cholesterol-lowering treatments to address unmet patient needs.
ESPERION (NASDAQ: ESPR) has appointed Sheldon Koenig as the new president and CEO, effective immediately. Koenig, who has over 30 years of experience in the cardiovascular sector, previously served as the COO at ESPERION since December 2020. He succeeds Tim Mayleben, who has stepped down after nearly a decade but will continue as a senior advisor. The leadership change comes as ESPERION aims to strengthen its market position following the launch of two cholesterol-lowering products, NEXLETOL® and NEXLIZET® in the U.S. and Europe.
Esperion announced significant findings on NEXLETOL (bempedoic acid) presented at the ACC.21 conference. The analysis predicts a 3.3% reduction in 10-year cardiovascular event risk for ASCVD patients on maximally tolerated statins treated with NEXLETOL (p0.0001). For statin-intolerant patients, a compared to placebo was also predicted (p0.0001). This data is based on a pooled Phase 3 study analysis using the SMART model, indicating substantial potential benefits of bempedoic acid in high-risk patient populations. The ongoing CLEAR Outcomes trial aims to further assess these impacts.
Esperion (NASDAQ: ESPR) has announced participation in two virtual conferences in May 2021. The first is the Bank of America 2021 Healthcare Conference on May 13, 2021, at 10:15 a.m. ET, featuring presentations and 1:1 investor meetings. The second event, the Morgan Stanley Life After Covid Thematic Conference II, is set for May 20, 2021, at 11:15 a.m. ET. Live audio webcasts will be accessible via the investor relations section of their website, with replays available for 90 days.
ESPERION reported Q1 2021 results, achieving total revenue of $8.0 million, up from $1.8 million in Q1 2020. U.S. product revenue reached $6.4 million, a significant increase from $0.9 million year-over-year. The company secured a major Medicare Part D contract covering 8.5 million lives and strengthened its balance sheet with $80 million from expanded agreements. However, ESPERION continues to face challenges, including a net loss of $90.9 million, rising expenses, and a lower net price impacting product demand.
Esperion (NASDAQ: ESPR) announced the granting of 50,991 restricted stock units (RSUs) to 21 new employees on April 23, 2021. This was executed under the 2017 Inducement Equity Incentive Plan, aimed at attracting individuals who have not previously worked for the company. Each RSU will vest incrementally, with 25% on the one-year anniversary and the remaining 75% in quarterly installments, contingent upon continued employment. This initiative underscores Esperion's commitment to building a robust team focused on lipid management.
Esperion (NASDAQ: ESPR) announced the peer-reviewed publication of the design of the CLEAR Outcomes trial, the first cardiovascular outcomes study focusing on patients intolerant to statins. The trial, fully enrolled with over 14,000 participants, is designed to assess the effectiveness of NEXLETOL in reducing major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Notably, nearly half of the participants are women, a significant increase compared to previous studies. Results are anticipated in the second half of 2022, with the trial aiming for a 15% relative risk reduction in MACE.