Pfizer to Acquire Esperion for $1.3 Billion

(New York, NY, USA) has agreed to acquire Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. (Ann Arbor, MI, USA) for U.S.$1.3 billion in stock.

Esperion is developing a new approach to high-density lipoprotein (HDL) therapy and reverse lipid transport for the acute treatment of cardiovascular disease. Phase II results show that a biopharmaceutical compound (ETC-216) produced a statistically significant reduction in plaque in patients with acute coronary syndrome at the end of six weeks. The company also has a second compound, ETC-588, in a Phase II trial.

Pfizer's drug atorvastatin (Lipitor ) is a heavily prescribed agent for reducing low density lipoprotein (LDL). The company is also developing Lipitor/torcetrapib, which works by combining Lipitor with an agent that inhibits the action of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP). Studies indicate this combination may represent a significant advance in preventive cardiovascular care by enhancing the LDL-lowering effect of Lipitor while increasing HDL.

"By acquiring Esperion, we can bring our research capabilities to bear on an emerging new area, which has a potentially significant beneficial impact on patients,” said Hank McKinnell, chairman and chief executive of Pfizer.




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