Pfizer to Acquire Esperion for $1.3 Billion

In a move that will give the company access to new therapies for atherosclerosis, Pfizer Inc. (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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