Primary Hyperlipidemia

Novartis’ office building in Marburg, Germany iStock, TBE Armed with new late-stage data on reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, Novartis is positioning its siRNA therapy Leqvio as a preventive treatment for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Novartis on Wednesday released topline findings from the Phase III V-MONO study, demonstrating that its siRNA therapy Leqvio (inclisiran) strongly reduced levels of “bad” cholesterol in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The pharma did not provide specific data in its announcement, only revealing that monotherapy with Leqvio led to a “clinically meaningful and statistically significant” reduction in levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), compared with both placebo and the lipid-lowering drug ezetimibe. Novartis will reveal more details from V-MONO at an upcoming scientific congress. The company will also share its findings with the FDA with an eye toward expanding Leqvio’s label, potentially opening up preventive use of the therapy. V-MONO is a randomized and double-blinded study that compared Leqvio versus placebo and the active control ezetimibe. The trial enrolled 350 patients at low or moderate risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) who were not on any lipid-loweing therapies. Its primary efficacy endpoint is the percent change in LDL-C after 150 days. “This trial adds to the growing body of evidence for Leqvio across the full spectrum of ASCVD as we strive to help more patients in need,” Chief Medical Officer Shreeram Aradhye said in a statement, noting that the pharma will “continue to advance the scientific understanding of using siRNA therapy” for cardiovascular diseases and to help people who “still struggle to reach their cholesterol goals.” Designed to be administered subcutaneously, Leqvio is a siRNA therapy that specifically targets liver cells. Once inside these hepatocytes, Leqvio targets and marks for destruction the mRNA molecule that encodes for the PCSK9, a central player in determining the volume of cholesterol receptors liver cells express. Through this mechanism of action, Leqvio leads to an overall increase in LDL-C receptors, which lowers circulating levels of the cholesterol. The FDA first approved Leqvio in December 2021 , greenlighting its use for lowering LDL-C on top of diet and maximally tolerated statin therapy in patients with ASCVD or heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. After an initiation regimen, the therapy is designed to be given only two times a year. In July 2023, the regulator agreed to an expanded indication of Leqvio, broadening its use to cover patients with elevated LDL-C levels in patients with primary hyperlipidemia who are at risk of heart disease. Leqvio was originally developed by Alnylam and was licensed by Novartis in January 2020 .

V-INITIATE trial demonstrates that early initiation with Leqvio, prior to guideline-recommended ezetimibe, for ASCVD patients unable to achieve LDL-C goal on statin therapy alone led to significant LDL-C reduction vs. clinician-determined usual care (60% vs. 7% respectively)1 A significantly greater proportion of the ASCVD patients receiving Leqvio achieved guideline-recommended LDL-C goal vs. the usual care arm while maintaining adherence to statin treatment1 Results from usual care arm reinforce the urgent need for more aggressive LDL-C lowering in ASCVD patients, 92% of whom did not reach their LDL-C goal with statins alone1 The Leqvio safety profile was consistent with the Phase III clinical studies and long-term open-label extension trials for up to 6 years of treatment1-4 EAST HANOVER, N.J., April 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Novartis today announced new data demonstrating the early addition of twice-yearly* Leqvio® (inclisiran) to maximally tolerated statin therapy, prior to guideline-recommended ezetimibe, in a real-world setting significantly reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), including those with a history of an ASCVD-related event, who could not reach their goal on statin therapy alone1. The late-breaking data were presented at the 2024 American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session & Expo and simultaneously published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. "V-INITIATE evaluated a solution to the important challenge seen in clinical practice of too many patients with ASCVD not achieving guideline-recommended LDL-C goal on statins alone and effective non-statin therapies being markedly underutilized," said Michael Koren, M.D., Medical Director and CEO of Jacksonville Center for Clinical Research, and the primary investigator of the study. "Given the urgent need to more aggressively manage LDL-C, the results from V-INITIATE show that when added earlier in the treatment continuum, the structured use of effective non-statin therapies like Leqvio can significantly reduce LDL-C for ASCVD patients who are struggling to reach or maintain their LDL-C goal." In the V-INITIATE study, patients receiving Leqvio experienced significant reductions in LDL-C compared to those receiving usual care (60% vs. 7%, respectively; p<0.001), which consisted mostly of statin therapy alone (73%)1. Four in five patients receiving Leqvio achieved the guideline-recommended LDL-C goal of <70 mg/dL compared to just one in five patients receiving usual care (81.8% vs. 22.2%, respectively; p<0.001)1. Notably, patients receiving health care provider (HCP)-administered Leqvio maintained adherence to existing lipid-lowering therapy, and the discontinuation rate of background statin therapy did not differ between the Leqvio and usual care arms (5.8% vs. 16.7%, respectively)1. The safety results from V-INITIATE were consistent with findings from the pivotal Phase III clinical trial program and long-term open-label extension trials, ORION-3 and ORION-8, which demonstrated sustained safety for up to six years of treatment1-4. "The data from V-INITIATE illustrate that earlier initiation of innovative non-statin therapies, like Leqvio, presents a real opportunity to do better for ASCVD patients and improve the way we approach LDL-C lowering," said David Soergel, M.D., Global Head of Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic Drug Development at Novartis. "This study adds data from a real-world setting to the growing body of evidence for Leqvio being generated through our robust VictORION program, and further reinforces the clinical value of this twice-yearly HCP-administered therapy." V-INITIATE is a 12-month Phase IIIb open-label study evaluating the effectiveness of adding Leqvio earlier, following a patient's failure to reach LDL-C goal on maximally tolerated statin therapy, compared to usual care, in a setting that reflects U.S. clinical practice. It was designed to more accurately represent the diversity of the U.S. general population across age, sex, race, ethnicity, insurance status, income level, education, prior medical history and statin intolerance1. Unlike placebo arms in typical double-blind trials, the usual care arm reflected U.S. clinical practice by allowing treating physicians to make changes to lipid-lowering treatment based on LDL-C measurements. Usual care was defined as clinician determined based on the 2018 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guideline recommendations1. *After an initial dose and another at three months. Indication LEQVIO (inclisiran) is an injectable prescription medicine used along with diet and other cholesterol-lowering medicines in adults with high blood cholesterol levels called primary hyperlipidemia (including a type of high cholesterol called heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia [HeFH]) to reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) or "bad" cholesterol. Important Safety Information: The most common side effects of Leqvio were: injection site reaction (including pain, redness, and rash), arthralgia (joint pain), bronchitis (chest cold). These are not all the possible side effects of Leqvio. Ask your health care provider for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit , or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Please click here for Leqvio full Prescribing Information. About Leqvio Leqvio is a subcutaneous injection given by a health care provider (HCP) with an initial dose, another at three months, and then every six months2,5. As a twice-yearly, HCP-administered treatment, Leqvio may help to circumvent the challenges of treatment adherence, a common issue in cholesterol management. Leqvio is the first and only small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapy to lower LDL-C. It is approved in over 90 countries, including the U.S., EU, Japan and China1,5,6. Novartis has obtained global rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize Leqvio under a license and collaboration agreement with Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, a leader in RNAi therapeutics. About V-INITIATE V-INITIATE is a 12-month, randomized, multicenter, open-label Phase IIIb study in 450 atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) patients in the U.S. with elevated LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) ≥70 mg/dL. The study evaluated the effectiveness of adding HCP-administered Leqvio earlier, following a patient's failure to reach LDL-C goal on maximally tolerated statin therapy, compared to usual care1. Usual care was determined by the clinicians and based on the 2018 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guideline recommendations; most patients (73%) in the usual care arm remained on statins only1. The co-primary endpoints were the percentage change in LDL-C from baseline to Day 330 and the discontinuation of statin therapy, defined as no statin use ≥30 days before the end of study visit1. This is the first Novartis trial where all patients have been tokenized with the intention of following their outcomes for two additional years post-trial completion, providing additional insights on the real-world effectiveness of Leqvio7. About VictORION The V-INITIATE trial is part of VictORION, an innovative and robust clinical program for Leqvio, comprising more than 30 trials and enrolling over 60,000 patients in more than 50 countries worldwide7. The program is designed to expand on the foundational evidence of LDL-C reduction with Leqvio in diverse patient populations to include randomized clinical trials, implementation research, real-world evidence, and trials that aim to establish its potential benefits on cardiovascular outcomes in primary and secondary prevention. A growing number of studies are planned to generate a vast array of data with major trials such as ORION-4 (secondary prevention), V(VictORION)-2-PREVENT (secondary prevention), V-1-PREVENT (high-risk primary prevention), V-INCEPTION and V-MONO. About Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) ASCVD refers to a variety of diseases caused by the development and growth of plaques in the inner lining of the arteries8. The atherosclerotic plaque is mainly composed of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) which accumulates over time8. Cumulative exposure to LDL-C is proportionally related to arterial plaque growth and progression leads to subsequent risk of cardiovascular events such as a heart attack or stroke8,9. Accounting for 85% of all cardiovascular disease deaths, ASCVD is the primary cause of mortality in the European Union and its burden in the United States is greater than that of any other chronic diseases10-13. ASCVD risk-equivalent corresponds to conditions that confer a similar risk for an ASCVD event (e.g., diabetes and heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia)4,13. About Novartis in Cardiovascular Cardiovascular disease (CVD) affects hundreds of millions of people and claims more lives globally than cancer, chronic lung disease and diabetes combined14. It is time to change that. Around 80% of premature cardiovascular deaths can be prevented by addressing factors that cause or worsen CVD15. We have a responsibility to make that a reality for more people. Novartis has been advancing the scientific understanding and treatment of CVD for more than four decades. Through early intervention, pioneering science and technological innovation, we are addressing factors that increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes, improving the function of damaged hearts and easing the burden of care for patients. We also collaborate with healthcare professionals, patient communities and diverse organizations to improve preventive CV care worldwide. Together, we will help more people with CVD get the right treatments at the right time and live longer and healthier lives. Disclaimer This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as "potential," "can," "will," "plan," "may," "could," "would," "expect," "anticipate," "look forward," "believe," "committed," "investigational," "pipeline," "launch," or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing approvals, new indications or labeling for the investigational or approved products described in this press release, or regarding potential future revenues from such products. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that the investigational or approved products described in this press release will be submitted or approved for sale or for any additional indications or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that such products will be commercially successful in the future. In particular, our expectations regarding such products could be affected by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; global trends toward health care cost containment, including government, payor and general public pricing and reimbursement pressures and requirements for increased pricing transparency; our ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection; the particular prescribing preferences of physicians and patients; general political, economic and business conditions, including the effects of and efforts to mitigate pandemic diseases; safety, quality, data integrity or manufacturing issues; potential or actual data security and data privacy breaches, or disruptions of our information technology systems, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG's current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. About Novartis Novartis is an innovative medicines company. Every day, we work to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people's lives so that patients, healthcare professionals and societies are empowered in the face of serious disease. Our medicines reach more than 250 million people worldwide. Reimagine medicine with us: Visit us at and and connect with us on LinkedIn, LinkedIn US, Facebook, X/Twitter, X/Twitter US and Instagram. Novartis previously filed its 2023 annual report with the Swiss SIX exchange in Switzerland, as well as its 2023 Annual Report on Form 20-F with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, and posted these documents on . Novartis shareholders may receive a hard copy of either of these documents, each of which contains our complete audited financial statements, free of charge, upon request. References Koren MJ, Rodriguez F, East CA, et al. Comparison of an "inclisiran first" strategy with usual care in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: results from the VICTORION-INITIATE randomized trial. Data presented at: American College of Cardiology Congress; April 6, 2024; Atlanta, GA. Leqvio. Prescribing information. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp. Wright RS, Raal FJ, Koenig W, et al. ORION-8: Long-term efficacy and safety of twice-yearly inclisiran in high cardiovascular risk patients. Data presented at: European Society of Cardiology Congress; August 28, 2023; Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Ray KK, Troquay RPT, Visseren FLJ, et al. Long-term efficacy and safety of inclisiran in patients with high cardiovascular risk and elevated LDL cholesterol (ORION-3): results from the 4-year open-label extension of the ORION-1 trial. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2023;11(2):109-119. European Medicines Agency. Leqvio (inclisiran): An overview of Leqvio and why it is authorized in the EU. Last updated June 2021. Accessed March 12, 2024. National Medical Products Administration. Drug approval document delivery information. Published August 24, 2023. Accessed March 12, 2024. Data on file. NCT04929249. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp; 2024. Goldstein JL, Brown MS. A century of cholesterol and coronaries: from plaques to genes to statins. Cell. 2015;161(1):161-172. Ference BA, Graham I, Tokgozoglu L, Catapano AL. Impact of lipids on cardiovascular health: JACC Health Promotion Series. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2018;72(10):1141-1156. World Health Organization. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Published June 11, 2021. Accessed March 12, 2024. (cvds) Roger VL, Go AS, Lloyd-Jones DM, et al. Heart disease and stroke statistics–2012 update: a report from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2012;125(1):e2-e220. Kim H, Kim S, Han S, et al. Prevalence and incidence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and its risk factors in Korea: a nationwide population-based study. BMC Public Health. 2019;19(1):1112. Grundy SM, Stone NJ, Bailey AL, et al. 2018 AHA/ACC/AACVPR/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA guideline on the management of blood cholesterol: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2019;139:e1082–e1143. American Heart Association. More than half of U.S. adults don't know heart disease is leading cause of death, despite 100-year reign. Published January 24, 2024. Accessed March 12, 2024. World Heart Federation. World Heart Report. Published May 20, 2023. Accessed March 12, 2024. # # # SOURCE Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation

– New Labels Expand Treatable Population to ~70 Million Patients in U.S. – – First LDL-C Lowering Non-Statin Indicated for Primary Prevention Patients – – Approvals Based on Positive CLEAR Outcomes Data and Reflect a Highly Differentiated Product Profile – – Positive CHMP Opinion Received; European Cardiovascular (CV) Risk Reduction Label Determination Anticipated in Q2 2024 – – Conference Call and Webcast on Monday, March 25 at 8:00 a.m. ET – ANN ARBOR, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Esperion (NASDAQ: ESPR) today announced that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved broad new label expansions for NEXLETOL® (bempedoic acid) Tablets and NEXLIZET® (bempedoic acid and ezetimibe) Tablets based on positive CLEAR Outcomes data that include indications for cardiovascular risk reduction and expanded LDL-C lowering in both primary and secondary prevention patients. In addition, the enhanced labels support the use of NEXLETOL and NEXLIZET either alone or in combination with statins. They also include new indications for primary hyperlipidemia, alone or in combination with a statin, and are the only LDL-C lowering non-statin drugs indicated for primary prevention patients. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: U.S. FDA approves broad new labels for NEXLETOL® (bempedoic acid) Tablets and NEXLIZET® (bempedoic acid and ezetimibe) Tablets to prevent heart attacks and cardiovascular procedures in both primary and secondary prevention patients, regardless of statin use. (Photo credit: Esperion) “We are pleased to receive approval for our highly anticipated label expansions in the U.S., which will enable more than 70 million patients to now be eligible for NEXLETOL and NEXLIZET,” said Sheldon Koenig, President and CEO, Esperion. “Importantly, these approvals expand the accessibility of our highly effective drugs to primary prevention patients, or to those who are at high risk of having a cardiovascular event, but who have not yet had one. These approvals also eliminate the statin use requirement, allowing patients to take NEXLETOL or NEXLIZET either with or without a statin, which significantly reduces previously existing prescribing limitations. We are confident these approvals position NEXLETOL and NEXLIZET as the non-statins of first choice within the cardiovascular risk reduction treatment paradigm.” “We are thrilled with these significantly expanded labels and look forward to being able to now reach millions more patients with our life-saving drugs. In anticipation of these approvals, we have significantly ramped up our sales force, developed a powerful suite of new promotional materials, created a bold new consumer campaign, enhanced our patient support programs, and continued working with payers to ensure improved patient access.” “NEXLETOL and NEXLIZET are once-daily, accessible, oral medications that reduce LDL-C and cardiovascular risk, but without the side effects most common to statins. NEXLETOL and NEXLIZET are also the first oral non-statin LDL-C lowering drugs to be approved by the FDA to reduce the risk of CV events in both primary and secondary prevention patients. We believe this significantly differentiated pro a game changer for patients and healthcare providers alike and that we expect sales to meaningfully inflect as a result. I want to thank the entire Esperion team for its unwavering commitment to patients and to getting us to this stage. I have the utmost confidence in our future success.” The Company’s pending label expansions in Europe remain on track, with a positive opinion received from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) on March 21, 2024. The Company anticipates a final determination by the European Medicines Agency in the second quarter of 2024. The U.S. approvals of NEXLIZET and NEXLETOL for cardiovascular risk reduction and LDL-C lowering were based on data generated from the CLEAR Outcomes trial, which was published in the New England Journal of Medicine in March 2023, assessing the effect of NEXLETOL on cardiovascular outcomes in nearly 14,000 patients with, or at high risk, of cardiovascular disease. Patients were followed for a median duration of 3.4 years and bempedoic acid (contained in NEXLETOL and NEXLIZET) was generally safe and well tolerated. In the study, LDL-C was reduced by 20%, hsCRP was reduced by 22%, and glucose was not elevated by bempedoic acid compared to placebo. Patients who received bempedoic acid in the trial experienced a relative risk reduction of: 15% for MACE-3 (death from a cardiovascular cause, nonfatal stroke, or nonfatal myocardial infarction) 27% for nonfatal myocardial infarction 19% for coronary revascularization 39% for MACE-3 in primary prevention patients Conference Call and Webcast Information Esperion will host a conference call and webcast on Monday, March 25 at 8:00 a.m. ET to discuss these FDA approvals and its new and expanded indications for NEXLETOL and NEXLIZET. Please click here to participate in the conference call. The live webcast can also be accessed on the Investors and Media section of the Esperion website. Access to the webcast replay will be available approximately two hours after completion of the call and will be archived on the Company’s website for approximately 90 days. INDICATION NEXLIZET and NEXLETOL are indicated: The bempedoic acid component of NEXLIZET and NEXLETOL is indicated to reduce the risk of myocardial infarction and coronary revascularization in adults who are unable to take recommended statin therapy (including those not taking a statin) with: established cardiovascular disease (CVD), or at high risk for a CVD event but without established CVD. As an adjunct to diet: NEXLIZET, alone or in combination with other LDL-C lowering therapies, to reduce LDL-C in adults with primary hyperlipidemia, including HeFH. NEXLETOL, in combination with other LDL-C lowering therapies, or alone when concomitant LDL-C lowering therapy is not possible, to reduce LDL-C in adults with primary hyperlipidemia, including HeFH. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION NEXLIZET and NEXLETOL are contraindicated in patients with a prior hypersensitivity to bempedoic acid or ezetimibe or any of the excipients. Serious hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis, angioedema, rash, and urticaria have been reported. Hyperuricemia: Bempedoic acid, a component of NEXLIZET and NEXLETOL, may increase blood uric acid levels, which may lead to gout. Hyperuricemia may occur early in treatment and persist throughout treatment, returning to baseline following discontinuation of treatment. Assess uric acid levels periodically as clinically indicated. Monitor for signs and symptoms of hyperuricemia, and initiate treatment with urate-lowering drugs as appropriate. Tendon Rupture: Bempedoic acid, a component of NEXLIZET and NEXLETOL, is associated with an increased risk of tendon rupture or injury. Tendon rupture may occur more frequently in patients over 60 years of age, in those taking corticosteroid or fluoroquinolone drugs, in patients with renal failure, and in patients with previous tendon disorders. Discontinue NEXLIZET or NEXLETOL at the first sign of tendon rupture. Consider alternative therapy in patients who have a history of tendon disorders or tendon rupture. The most common adverse reactions in the primary hyperlipidemia trials of bempedoic acid, a component of NEXLIZET and NEXLETOL, in ≥2% of patients and greater than placebo were upper respiratory tract infection, muscle spasms, hyperuricemia, back pain, abdominal pain or discomfort, bronchitis, pain in extremity, anemia, and elevated liver enzymes. Adverse reactions reported in ≥2% of patients treated with ezetimibe (a component of NEXLIZET) and at an incidence greater than placebo in clinical trials were upper respiratory tract infection, diarrhea, arthralgia, sinusitis, pain in extremity, fatigue, and influenza. In the primary hyperlipidemia trials of NEXLIZET, the most commonly reported adverse reactions (incidence ≥3% and greater than placebo) observed with NEXLIZET, but not observed in clinical trials of bempedoic acid or ezetimibe, were urinary tract infection, nasopharyngitis, and constipation. The most common adverse reactions in the cardiovascular outcomes trial for bempedoic acid, a component of NEXLIZET and NEXLETOL, at an incidence of ≥2% and 0.5% greater than placebo were hyperuricemia, renal impairment, anemia, elevated liver enzymes, muscle spasms, gout, and cholelithiasis. Discontinue NEXLIZET or NEXLETOL when pregnancy is recognized unless the benefits of therapy outweigh the potential risks to the fetus. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in a breast-fed infant, breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with NEXLIZET or NEXLETOL. Report pregnancies to Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. Adverse Event reporting line at 1-833-377-7633. Please see full Prescribing Information for NEXLIZET and NEXLETOL. Esperion Therapeutics At Esperion, we discover, develop, and commercialize innovative medicines to help improve outcomes for patients with or at risk for cardiovascular and cardiometabolic diseases. The status quo is not meeting the health needs of millions of people with high cholesterol – that is why our team of passionate industry leaders is breaking through the barriers that prevent patients from reaching their goals. Providers are moving toward reducing LDL-cholesterol levels as low as possible, as soon as possible; we provide the next steps to help get patients there. Because when it comes to high cholesterol, getting to goal is not optional. It is our life’s work. For more information, visit esperion.com and esperionscience.com and follow us on X at twitter.com/EsperionInc. CLEAR Cardiovascular Outcomes Trial CLEAR Outcomes is part of the CLEAR clinical research program for NEXLETOL® (bempedoic acid) Tablet and NEXLIZET® (bempedoic acid and ezetimibe) Tablet. The CLEAR Program seeks to generate important clinical evidence on the safety and efficacy of bempedoic acid, a first in a class ATP citrate lyase inhibitor contained in NEXLETOL and NEXLIZET and its potential role in addressing additional critical unmet medical needs. More than 60,000 people will have participated in the program by the time of its completion. The CLEAR Program includes 5 label-enabling Phase III studies as well as other key Phase IV studies with the potential to reach more than 70 million people with or at risk for CVD based on elevated LDL-C. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the federal securities laws, including statements regarding marketing strategy and commercialization plans, current and planned operational expenses, future operations, commercial products, clinical development, including the timing, designs and plans for the CLEAR Outcomes study and its results, plans for potential future product candidates, financial condition and outlook, including expected cash runway, and other statements containing the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “suggest,” “target,” “potential,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “continue,” and similar expressions. Any express or implied statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause Esperion’s actual results to differ significantly from those projected, including, without limitation, the net sales, profitability, and growth of Esperion’s commercial products, clinical activities and results, supply chain, commercial development and launch plans, the outcomes and anticipated benefits of legal proceedings and settlements, and the risks detailed in Esperion’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof, and Esperion disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this press release, other than to the extent required by law.