By Josh Beckerman
Esperion Therapeutics Inc. (ESPR) reported favorable trial data
for a cholesterol-reduction drug, pushing shares up sharply after
hours.
The company said a Phase 2b study of ETC-1002, its lead drug
candidate, met its primary endpoint and the drug "appears to be
safe and well tolerated."
The 12-week study compared ETC-1002 with ezetimibe in reduction
of LDL-cholesterol, testing the drugs individually and in a
combination. Ezetimibe is sold as Zetia by Merck & Co.
(MRK).
Esperion shares surged 37% to $33.45 after hours.
Esperion said the drug may be especially helpful to patients
with statin intolerance.
Esperion, which focuses on cardiometabolic diseases, also has
two pre-clinical product candidates.
The original Esperion Therapeutics Inc. was sold to Pfizer Inc.
(PFE) in 2004. The new Esperion was formed with assets acquired
from Pfizer in 2008, including the rights to ETC-1002.
Esperion went public in June 2013 at $14 a share. Esperion
previously said its existing cash resources will fund it through
early 2016.
Write to Josh Beckerman at josh.beckerman@wsj.com
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