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Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. is a pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing oral, once-daily, non-statin medicines for patients with elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). The company aims to address unmet needs in the treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) through innovative therapies. Esperion sells medications such as NEXLETOL and NEXLIZET, which are designed to lower LDL-C levels in adults with primary hyperlipidemia.
- Collaboration Revenue - Generates income through agreements with international partners, including product sales and royalties.
- Product Sales - Sells medications like NEXLETOL and NEXLIZET, which are used to lower LDL-C in adults with primary hyperlipidemia.
| Name | Position | External Roles | Short Bio | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sheldon L. Koenig ExecutiveBoard | President and CEO | None | Sheldon L. Koenig joined Esperion in December 2020 as COO and became CEO in May 2021. He has extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry, including leadership roles at Portola Pharmaceuticals and Sanofi S.A.. | View Report → |
Benjamin Halladay Executive | Chief Financial Officer | None | Benjamin Halladay joined Esperion in January 2020 and became CFO in November 2022. He has a background in financial planning and analysis, with previous roles at NOV Inc. and BMC Software. | |
Benjamin Looker Executive | General Counsel | None | Benjamin Looker joined Esperion as General Counsel in January 2022. He previously served as General Counsel at Trillium Therapeutics and held roles at MorphoSys US Inc.. | |
Eric Warren Executive | Chief Commercial Officer | None | Eric Warren joined Esperion in January 2021 as VP of US Sales and Marketing, later becoming CCO in March 2022. He has held leadership roles at Nabriva Therapeutics and Sanofi S.A.. | |
Alan Fuhrman Board | Director | CFO of Tyra Biosciences, Board Member at SpringWorks Therapeutics | Alan Fuhrman joined the Board in March 2020. He has over 20 years of executive financial experience and serves as CFO of Tyra Biosciences. | |
J. Martin Carroll Board | Chairman of the Board | Director at Catalent Pharma Solutions | J. Martin Carroll has been Chairman of the Board since June 2022. He has extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry and serves on several boards. | |
Jay P. Shepard Board | Director | Venture Partner at Catalys Pacific, Board Member at Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Board Member at Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Chairman of the Board of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation | Jay P. Shepard joined the Board in May 2018. He has over 35 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry and holds several board positions. | |
Seth H.Z. Fischer Board | Director | Lead Independent Director at Agile Therapeutics, Board Member at Marinus Pharmaceuticals, Board Member at Milestone Pharmaceuticals | Seth H.Z. Fischer joined the Board in October 2021. He has over 35 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry and holds several board positions. | |
Stephen Rocamboli Board | Director | CEO of Perla Therapeutics, Board Member at TFF Pharmaceuticals | Stephen Rocamboli joined the Board in April 2022. He has extensive experience in life sciences and corporate development. | |
Tracy M. Woody Board | Director | Board Member of Shorla Pharma | Tracy M. Woody joined the Board in May 2019. She has over 25 years of commercial experience in pharmaceuticals and serves on the board of Shorla Pharma. |
- Can you provide more details on the gross-to-net headwinds you're experiencing due to the recent Medicare contracts, and how do you anticipate these will impact net pricing and profitability in the coming quarters?
- With the expansion to over 165 million patient lives under the new utilization management criteria, have you had to make significant concessions or pricing adjustments to achieve this coverage, and do you expect further concessions to secure additional contracts?
- Despite the reported double-digit growth in prescriptions, what challenges do you foresee in maintaining this momentum, especially considering potential headwinds such as the Medicare coverage gap and the upcoming IRA changes?
- Given the 20% increase in selling, general and administrative expenses due to higher commercial headcount and promotional costs, how do you plan to manage SG&A expenses moving forward to ensure profitability if revenue growth does not meet expectations?
- Could you elaborate on the expected financial contributions and timelines from your international partnerships, particularly with Otsuka in Japan, and how potential delays or challenges in these markets might affect your overall financial outlook?
Recent press releases and 8-K filings for ESPR.
- Esperion has entered into a settlement agreement with Accord Healthcare Inc. to resolve patent litigation concerning Accord's Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for a generic version of NEXLETOL.
- Pursuant to this agreement, Accord Healthcare Inc. has agreed not to market a generic version of NEXLETOL in the United States prior to April 19, 2040.
- Patent litigation against other defendants (including Alkem Laboratories Ltd., Aurobindo Pharma Limited, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Inc., MSN Pharmaceuticals Inc., Renata Limited, and Sandoz Inc.) regarding generic versions of NEXLETOL and/or NEXLIZET remains ongoing.
- Commercial momentum: Esperion highlighted improved prescriber adoption driven by its unique positioning as the only non-statin with primary prevention and expanding its salesforce—including the addition of 72 sales reps and an increase in specialized field reimbursement managers—to boost approval rates (from low 70s to high 70s/low 80s).
- Pipeline advancement: The company introduced its R&D day updates, launching plans for a PSC indication leveraging ACLY biology and outlining a robust liver program alongside other non-cardiology opportunities.
- Global growth initiatives: Esperion discussed its international expansion with its partner Otsuka in Japan, anticipating a Q4 launch for an LDL-lowering indication and potential milestone payments up to $130 million.
- Future product strategy: Plans were revealed to develop a fixed-dose triple combination pill, aiming to enhance convenience and efficacy in LDL lowering for patients, supporting the franchise’s long-term revenue acceleration.
- CEO Sheldon Koenig detailed the turnaround of bempedoic acid, highlighting the impact of the new label which expanded its market from 10 million to 70 million patients and positioned the drug for high double-digit growth with a peak sales potential of over $1 billion.
- The conference emphasized improved drug access, noting current coverage rates of 92% in commercial plans and enhanced Medicare approval rates (rising from 72% to 86%) supported by the introduction of field reimbursement managers.
- Strategic outlook includes an expectation for profitability by Q1 2026, driven in part by milestone payments from Otsuka and a robust business development strategy leveraging their infrastructure.
- The discussion also covered pipeline updates with focus on liver (PSC) and kidney programs, as well as potential partnerships and triple combination strategies aimed at extending IP protection.
- Total revenue reached $65M in Q1 2025, with a reported 53% YoY decrease impacted by a one-time milestone – on a constant basis excluding the milestone, revenue grew 63% YoY.
- U.S. net product revenue increased 41% YoY to $34.9M, demonstrating robust performance for its bempedoic acid products despite seasonal challenges from Medicare Part D changes and patient deductible impacts.
- Achieved key commercial milestones, including surpassing one million retail prescription equivalents, global expansion of its bempedoic acid franchise, and advances in triple combination products with strengthened market access.
- Reported a net loss of $40.5M for the quarter, with forward guidance emphasizing sustainable operating profitability, disciplined operational expenses, and ongoing pipeline progress.
- Collaboration revenue improved by 97% when excluding a one-time settlement, complemented by promising pipeline advancements—a novel program for primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and early Q2 prescription trends up 8%.
- Departure Announcement: Eric Warren is stepping down as Chief Commercial Officer effective April 18, 2025, with no disagreement cited regarding company operations.
- Filing Details: The Form 8-K was filed on April 4, 2025, confirming the executive change and providing pertinent company information.