Esperion Therapeutics expanded its Phase III trial of bempedoic acid to include patients with hypercholesterolemia on any statin at any dose. The decision was based on positive results from a Phase II study of bempedoic acid added to atorvastatin.

That study met its primary endpoint, lowering LDL-C by 13 percent, compared to an increase of 9 percent in the placebo arm. Bempedoic acid also demonstrated an incremental reduction of 35 percent in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, a marker of underlying inflammation associated with cardiovascular disease.

Before the end of the year, Esperion plans to launch three Phase III studies in patients who are inadequately treated with lipid-modifying therapies. The placebo-controlled trials will assess bempedoic acid alone or in combination with ezetimibe in patients with high cholesterol with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.