Advertisement
Canada markets closed

  • S&P/TSX

    21,873.72
    -138.00 (-0.63%)
     

  • S&P 500

    5,071.63
    +1.08 (+0.02%)
     

  • DOW

    38,460.92
    -42.77 (-0.11%)
     

  • CAD/USD

    0.7297
    -0.0023 (-0.32%)
     

  • CRUDE OIL

    82.89
    +0.08 (+0.10%)
     

  • Bitcoin CAD

    88,012.62
    -2,972.79 (-3.27%)
     

  • CMC Crypto 200

    1,389.88
    -34.22 (-2.40%)
     

  • GOLD FUTURES

    2,330.10
    -8.30 (-0.35%)
     

  • RUSSELL 2000

    1,995.43
    -7.22 (-0.36%)
     

  • 10-Yr Bond

    4.6520
    +0.0540 (+1.17%)
     

  • NASDAQ futures

    17,469.00
    -195.50 (-1.11%)
     

  • VOLATILITY

    15.97
    +0.28 (+1.78%)
     

  • FTSE

    8,040.38
    -4.43 (-0.06%)
     

  • NIKKEI 225

    38,460.08
    +907.92 (+2.42%)
     

  • CAD/EUR

    0.6818
    -0.0018 (-0.26%)
     

Esperion (ESPR) Combination Regimen Lowers Bad Cholesterol

Zacks Equity Research
Updated

Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. ESPR announced positive data from a phase III study (1002-053) evaluating a combination regimen of bempedoic acid and Merck’s MRK Zetia (ezetimibe) for lowering LDL-C (bad cholesterol).

Shares of the company rallied 4.8% following the news on Aug 27. However, the company’s shares are down 21.9% so far this year against industry’s gain of 2.5%.

The phase III 1002-053 study evaluated a combination of 180 mg of bempedoic acid and 10 mg of Zetia in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (“ASCVD”) and/or heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia or patients with multiple risk factors for ASCVD receiving maximally tolerated statins compared to bempedoic acid, ezetimibe or placebo over a period of 12 weeks.

ADVERTISEMENT

Data from the study showed that the combination regimen reduced bad cholesterol by 35% compared to 24% for Zetia (20mg), 20% for bempedoic acid (180mg) and 3% for placebo in patients receiving maximally tolerated statins. Moreover, treatment with the combination regimen led to 32% mean reduction in bad cholesterol in intent to treat patients compared to 21%, 18% and 3% for Zetia, bempedoic acid and placebo, respectively.

The regimen was also superior in reducing inflammation associated with cardiovascular disease in all patients and reducing bad cholesterol in statin intolerant patients. The safety and tolerability of the combination was similar to Zetia alone.

The company also evaluated bempedoic acid as monotherapy in ASCVD patients and successfully completed three pivotal studies early this year. The company is currently evaluating bempedoic acid in another phase III study, 1002-047. Data from the study is expected in October. The company expects to file a new drug application to the FDA in the first quarter of 2019. A regulatory application is expected to be filed in Europe in the second quarter of 2019.

With no approved product in its portfolio, a potential approval to the combination regimen will be a significant boost for the company. However, the market is competitive with the availability of several branded as well generic drugs for lowering bad cholesterol.

Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. Price

 

Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. Price | Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. Quote

Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider

Esperion currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

A couple of better-ranked stocks from the same space are Endo International plc ENDP and BioSpecifics Technologies Corp BSTC. Both the stocks sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Endo’s earnings per share estimates have increased from $2.39 to $2.60 for 2018 and from $2.54 to $2.69 for 2019 over the past 30 days. The company delivered a positive earnings surprise in all the trailing four quarters with an average beat of 29.11%. The stock has rallied 107.9% so far this year.

BioSpecifics’ earnings per share estimates have increased from $2.09 to $2.28 for 2018 and from $2.13 to $2.38 for 2019 over the past 30 days. The company delivered a positive earnings surprise in three of the trailing four quarters with an average beat of 11.37%. The stock has rallied 15.1% so far this year.

Today's Stocks from Zacks' Hottest Strategies

It's hard to believe, even for us at Zacks. But while the market gained +21.9% in 2017, our top stock-picking screens have returned +115.0%, +109.3%, +104.9%, +98.6%, and +67.1%.

And this outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. Over the years it has been remarkably consistent. From 2000 - 2017, the composite yearly average gain for these strategies has beaten the market more than 19X over. Maybe even more remarkable is the fact that we're willing to share their latest stocks with you without cost or obligation.

See Them Free>>


Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
 
Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Endo International plc (ENDP) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
BioSpecifics Technologies Corp (BSTC) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. (ESPR) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
 
Zacks Investment Research