BEDMINSTER, N.J. and DUBLIN, Ireland, Aug. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Amarin Corporation plc (NASDAQ:AMRN)
announced that, as expected, the independent data monitoring committee (DMC) has completed its review of the scheduled
pre-specified interim efficacy and safety analysis for the REDUCE-IT cardiovascular outcomes study and has recommended that the
trial continue as planned without modification. Because REDUCE-IT is the first prospective clinical trial of any therapy in the
large patient population studied, the bars for stopping this trial early for overwhelming efficacy were intentionally set high with
the understanding that a more robust result, based on a larger number of cardiovascular events, could be obtained by the study
continuing to completion. Results from the completed study are expected in Q2 or Q3 2018. The 8,175-patient outcomes study is
evaluating whether treatment with Vascepa® (icosapent ethyl) reduces major adverse cardiovascular events in patients who despite
stabilized statin therapy have elevated triglyceride levels and other cardiovascular risk factors.
In accordance with the study protocol, this interim efficacy analysis was performed after adjudication of
approximately 80% of the target 1,612 aggregate primary cardiovascular events occurred within the study. Preparations for a final
efficacy analysis will be triggered by the onset of approximately 100% of the target aggregate number of primary cardiovascular
events. Amarin anticipates that the onset of approximately 100% of events will likely occur in early 2018. Amarin is intentionally
blinded to the interim analysis data and will remain blinded to results of the study until after the study is stopped and the
database is locked at the final analysis.
The DMC's recommendation to continue as planned also reflects its review of all available safety data. In
accordance with the study protocol and DMC charter, safety reviews have been performed multiple times each year since REDUCE-IT
began in December 2011, and more than 30,000 patient years of study have been accumulated to date in the ongoing REDUCE-IT
study.
The review and recommendation of the DMC at this interim look were made independently. Neither Amarin nor the FDA
has reviewed the interim clinical results and neither participated in the DMC's closed session deliberation.
"We are pleased that we are nearing completion of the REDUCE-IT study and thank the independent DMC members for
their diligence in overseeing this important study," said Steven Ketchum, Ph.D., president of R&D and chief scientific officer
of Amarin. "This interim look provided important operational checks in preparation for study completion. We remain confident that
the REDUCE-IT study is positioned for success based on our extensive review of the existing and continually increasing body of data
from clinical, epidemiologic, genetic, and real-world evidence studies, and we are preparing for the study conclusion."
Residual cardiovascular risk in statin-treated patients
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, with the estimated costs of
treating heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular disease manifestations exceeding $550 billion annually.1 In the
United States, about 40 million patients are treated with statins for the primary and secondary prevention of atherosclerotic
cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and stroke.2 Despite the demonstrated clinical benefits of lowering bad
cholesterol (LDL-C) with statins, 60% to 75% residual cardiovascular risk remains for statin-treated patients.3 Vascepa
is being studied in REDUCE-IT as an add-on to statin therapy in patients with persistent elevated triglycerides and other risk
factors to further reduce cardiovascular risk, not as a replacement for statin therapy.
About Vascepa® (icosapent ethyl) capsules
Vascepa® (icosapent ethyl) capsules are a single-molecule prescription product consisting of the omega-3 acid
commonly known as EPA in ethyl-ester form. Vascepa is not fish oil, but is derived from fish through a stringent and complex
FDA-regulated manufacturing process designed to effectively eliminate impurities and isolate and protect the single molecule active
ingredient. Vascepa is known in scientific literature as AMR101. Amarin has been issued multiple patents internationally
based on the unique clinical profile of Vascepa, including the drug’s ability to lower triglyceride levels in relevant patient
populations without raising LDL-cholesterol levels.
FDA-Approved Indication and Usage
- Vascepa (icosapent ethyl) is indicated as an adjunct to diet to reduce triglyceride (TG) levels in adult patients with severe
(≥500 mg/dL) hypertriglyceridemia.
- The effect of Vascepa on the risk for pancreatitis and cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in patients with severe
hypertriglyceridemia has not been determined.
Important Safety Information for Vascepa
- Vascepa is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity (e.g., anaphylactic reaction) to Vascepa or any of its
components.
- Use with caution in patients with known hypersensitivity to fish and/or shellfish.
- The most common reported adverse reaction (incidence > 2% and greater than placebo) was arthralgia (2.3% for Vascepa, 1.0%
for placebo). There was no reported adverse reaction > 3% and greater than placebo.
- Patients receiving treatment with Vascepa and other drugs affecting coagulation (e.g., anti-platelet agents) should be
monitored periodically.
- In patients with hepatic impairment, monitor ALT and AST levels periodically during therapy.
- Patients should be advised to swallow Vascepa capsules whole; not to break open, crush, dissolve, or chew Vascepa.
- Adverse events and product complaints may be reported by calling 1-855-VASCEPA or the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
FULL VASCEPA PRESCRIBING INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.VASCEPA.COM.
Vascepa has been approved for use by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an adjunct to diet to
reduce triglyceride levels in adult patients with severe (≥500 mg/dL) hypertriglyceridemia. Vascepa is under various stages of
development for potential use in other indications that have not been approved by the FDA. Nothing in this press release should be
construed as promoting the use of Vascepa in any indication that has not been approved by the FDA.
Forward-looking statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including expectations for continued event rates, interim
data review, results and related timing and announcements with respect to Amarin's REDUCE-IT cardiovascular outcomes study;
expectations related to the final outcomes of the REDUCE-IT study and the anticipated successful completion of the REDUCE-IT study;
and statements regarding the potential and therapeutic benefits of Vascepa. These forward-looking statements are not promises or
guarantees and involve substantial risks and uncertainties. In particular, as disclosed in filings with the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission, Amarin's ability to effectively develop and commercialize Vascepa will depend in part on its ability to
continue to effectively finance its business, efforts of third parties, its ability to create market demand for Vascepa through
education, marketing and sales activities, to achieve increased market acceptance of Vascepa, to receive adequate levels of
reimbursement from third-party payers, to develop and maintain a consistent source of commercial supply at a competitive price, to
comply with legal and regulatory requirements in connection with the sale and promotion of Vascepa and to maintain patent
protection for Vascepa. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described or projected
herein include the following: uncertainties associated generally with research and development, clinical trials and related
regulatory approvals; the risk that historical REDUCE-IT event rates may not be predictive of future results and related cost may
increase beyond expectations; the risk that regulatory reviews may alter current expectations related thereto; the risk that future
legal determinations and interactions with regulatory authorities may impact Vascepa marketing and sales rights and efforts; the
risk that Vascepa may not show clinically meaningful effects in REDUCE-IT or support regulatory approvals for cardiovascular risk
reduction; and the risk that patents may not be upheld in patent litigation. 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 its most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Existing and prospective investors are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Amarin
undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this press release, whether as a result of new
information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.
Availability of other information about Amarin
Investors and others should note that we communicate with our investors and the public using our company website
(www.amarincorp.com), our investor relations website (http://investor.amarincorp.com), including but not limited to investor presentations and
investor FAQs, Securities and Exchange Commission filings, press releases, public conference calls and webcasts.
The information that we post on these channels and websites could be deemed to be material information. As a result, we
encourage investors, the media, and others interested in Amarin to review the information that we post on these channels, including
our investor relations website, on a regular basis. This list of channels may be updated from time to time on our investor
relations website and may include social media channels. The contents of our website or these channels, or any other website
that may be accessed from our website or these channels, shall not be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the
Securities Act of 1933.
References
1 AHA Heart and Stroke Statistics https://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@adv/documents/downloadable/ucm_491543.pdf
2 http://www.acsh.org/news/2015/12/04/cdc-study-reveals-that-too-few-americans-are-on-statins
3 Libby P. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2005:46(7):1225-1228.
Amarin contact information: Investor Relations: Elisabeth Schwartz Investor Relations and Corporate Communications Amarin Corporation plc In U.S.: +1 (908) 719-1315 investor.relations@amarincorp.com Lee M. Stern Trout Group In U.S.: +1 (646) 378-2992 lstern@troutgroup.com Media Inquiries: Ovidio Torres Finn Partners In U.S.: +1 (312) 329 3911 Ovidio.torres@finnpartners.com