Health Canada Approves Vascepa to Reduce the Risk of Cardiovascular Events

Health Canada approved HLS Therapeutics’ Vascepa (icosapent ethyl) for statin-treated patients with elevated triglycerides who are at high risk of cardiovascular events due to established cardiovascular disease, or diabetes, and at least one other cardiovascular risk factor.

Vascepa is the first drug approved to help reduce the cardiovascular risk in that specific population. The approval was based on the results of a multicenter trial showed a 25 percent risk reduction in the first occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events.

Amarin licensed exclusive Canadian rights for Vascepa to HLS Therapeutics in 2017.