Findingsfurther support the differentiated multifactorial mechanism of action of VASCEPAand its robust clinical effectivenessin reducing major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE)in studied high-risk patients

Breadth of scientific evidence presented provides further insight into the unique,single molecule active ingredientof VASCEPA and confirms status as first-and-only prescription treatment for the at-risk population studied

Amarin to Webcast Discussion of Presented Dataon November 18,2020 at4:30 p.m., Eastern Standard Time

DUBLIN, Ireland and BRIDGEWATER, N.J., Nov. 18, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Amarin Corporation plc (NASDAQ:AMRN) supported new data, presented at American Heart Association’s (AHA) Virtual Scientific Sessions 2020, held virtually from November 13 – 17, 2020, adding to the growing body of knowledge on VASCEPA® (icosapent ethyl) and its differentiated positioning in treating patients at risk for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). The data, from a broad group of clinicians and scientists, continues to reinforce the unique mechanistic, clinical, and pharmacoeconomic impact of VASCEPA.

“The AHA Virtual Scientific Sessions 2020 is an important opportunity for the medical community to advance its understanding of how to best address the growing impact of cardiovascular disease,” said Craig Granowitz, M.D., Ph.D., Amarin’s senior vice president and chief medical officer. “At Amarin, we share this passion and are pleased to provide additional insights into how VASCEPA, with its unique effects, properties, and attributes, can potentially reduce cardiovascular disease in appropriate patients.”

FeaturedAmarin-supported data presented atAHA Virtual Scientific Sessions 2020 included:

1)   Findings regarding the unique mechanistic effects of the active ingredient in VASCEPA:

“Eicosapentaenoic Acid, but Not Docosahexaenoic Acid or a Mixed Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplement, Inhibits Low-density Lipoprotein Oxidation in a Time-dependent Manner” – presented on behalf of all authors by Samuel Sherratt, B.S., Elucida Research, Beverly, MA

Highlights: The purpose of the study was to compare the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) versus docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and a mixed omega-3 fatty acid (EPA/DHA) dietary supplement on oxidation of human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in vitro.

EPA, a stable form of which is the active ingredient in icosapent ethyl, in laboratory or in vitro study, significantly inhibited LDL oxidation compared to a control vehicle and did so over a more sustained period of time than DHA and mixed omega-3 fatty acid. Inhibiting LDL is associated with lowering cholesterol and oxidation of LDL is associated with making LDL atherogenic. Evaluation was made based on quantifying changes in malondialdehyde (MDA), a reactive aldehyde produced by LDL oxidation.

In the study, EPA after 4 hours inhibited MDA levels by 96% compared with the control vehicle oxidation level. DHA compared with the control vehicle inhibited MDA levels at 2 hours at a level which was less pronounced than EPA and this level of antioxidant activity with DHA was lost within 4 hours. The mixed omega-3 fatty acid, which is a dietary supplement, failed to show any antioxidant activity through 4 hours. Fatty acid analysis showed that the mixed omega-3 fatty acid dietary supplement, which is widely used commercially, in addition to EPA and DHA, contained more than 30 other fatty acids, including saturated fats, that may have nullified any potential benefits.

These data support LDL antioxidant effects of EPA that were sustained over time compared with DHA, which had a transient effect, or a mixed omega-3 fatty acid dietary supplement, which had no beneficial effect at all.

“Contrasting Effects of Phospholipid Linked Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Arachidonic Acid (AA) on Membrane Structure and Stability” – presented on behalf of all authors by Samuel Sherratt, B.S., Elucida Research, Beverly, MA

Highlights: The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the separate and combined effects of phospholipid-linked EPA and AA on membrane structure. Small angle x-ray diffraction approaches compared the effects of 1-palmitoyl-2-eicosapentaenoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (PL-EPA) and 1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (PL-AA) at a 1:20 ratio in membranes composed of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) and cholesterol (C) at a 0.3:1 C:PL ratio.

PL-EPA was shown to cause membrane stability, which may improve the signaling and function of endothelial cells. The PL-EPA effect on improving membrane stability was negatively disrupted by the presence of PL-AA. The contrasting effects of PL-EPA and PL-AA on membrane structure may contribute to differences in biological activity between these two omega-3 fatty acid molecules, EPA and AA.

“Achieved Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) Levels Predicts Regression of Coronary Plaque Volumes by Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (CCTA) in the EVAPORATE Trial” – presented on behalf of all authors by Suvasini Lakshmanan, M.D., M.S., Lundquist Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA

Highlights: EVAPORATE was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolling a total of 80 patients who had to have coronary atherosclerosis as documented by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) (1 or more angiographic stenoses with ≥20% narrowing), be on statin therapy, and have persistently elevated triglyceride (TG) levels. Patients underwent an interim scan at 9 months and a final scan at 18 months using Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (CCTA) to evaluate the effects of icosapent ethyl as an adjunct to statins on coronary plaque volumes. The previously reported results of the prespecified primary endpoint was a 17% regression in low attenuation plaque (LAP) volume at 18 months for icosapent ethyl relative to placebo. These results were previously presented with publication in the European Heart Journal.

The pre-specified secondary endpoint was the association of achieved serum EPA levels, and change in coronary plaque volumes in the pooled cohort. At 18 months, higher serum EPA levels were reported to predict regression of fibro-fatty plaque, total non-calcified plaque (TNCP), and total plaque (TP), after adjustment for age, sex, diabetes, hypertension, and baseline TG levels.

“Effect of Icosapent Ethyl on Changes in Coronary Plaque Characteristics at 9 Months in Patients With Elevated Triglycerides on Statin Therapy: Insights From EVAPORATE” – presented on behalf of all authors by Suvasini Lakshmanan, M.D., M.S., Lundquist Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA

Highlights: In this analysis of the EVAPORATE trial, plaque characteristics including lipid rich necrotic core (LRNC), fibrous cap thickness, and intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) were assessed using vascuCAP® (Elucid Bioimaging Inc., Boston, MA). A total of 60 patients had interpretable images.

Relative to placebo, patients on icosapent ethyl were reported to have decreased wall volume, LRNC, and IPH, as well as increased cap thickness, indicating a migration to more stable phenotypes. This study reported that icosapent ethyl, when added to statin therapy, is associated with reduction in vulnerable plaque, moving patients to a more stable plaque phenotype.

2)   Findings further supporting the robustness of the clinicalefficacy demonstrated with VASCEPA:

“Icosapent Ethyl Reduces Ischemic Events in Patients With Prior Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: REDUCE-IT CABG” – presented on behalf of all authors by Subodh Verma, M.D., Ph.D., University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Highlights: VASCEPA, compared with placebo, significantly reduced primary composite first and total major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in post hoc exploratory analyses of patients with a history of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedures by 24% and 36%, respectively, and key secondary composite first hard MACE, comprised of heart attacks, stroke and cardiovascular death, by 31%.

As reported in a press release dated November 13, 2020, the REDUCE-IT® CABG analysis examined 1,837 (22.5%) of the patients enrolled in REDUCE-IT, representing all patients who had undergone a prior coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedure, a common form of surgical intervention to help treat coronary heart disease. Baseline characteristics were similar among patients randomized to VASCEPA versus placebo. Post hoc exploratory analyses of this subgroup showed that, for the composite endpoint of 5-point MACE, which was the prespecified primary endpoint for the full REDUCE-IT study cohort, time to first event was significantly reduced with VASCEPA versus placebo by 24% and total (first and subsequent) events were also reduced by 36%. For the REDUCE-IT study’s key secondary composite endpoint of 3-point MACE, time to first event was reduced by 31% in the subgroup of patients with a prior CABG.

“Significant Reductions in Both Adjudicated and Investigator-Reported Ischemic Events in REDUCE-IT” – presented on behalf of all authors by Deepak L. Bhatt, M.D., M.P.H., Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA

Highlights: The REDUCE-IT ADJUDICATION analysis sought to determine whether there were any differences in the effect of icosapent ethyl whether endpoints were investigator-reported or blindly adjudicated. Icosapent ethyl significantly reduced primary and key secondary composite first MACE by 26% and 25%, respectively, as reported by the site investigators. There was a high degree of concordance between investigator-reported and adjudicated endpoints, underscoring the robustness of the cardiovascular benefits of icosapent ethyl seen in REDUCE-IT.

3)   Findings regarding the cost-effectiveness of VASCEPA:

“Consistent Cost-effectiveness of Icosapent Ethyl Across Patient Profiles From REDUCE-IT” – presented on behalf of all authors by Zugui Zhang, Ph.D., ChristianaCare Health System, Newark, DE

Highlights: The purpose of this study was to conduct subgroup analyses of lifetime cost-effectiveness (CE) of icosapent ethyl (IPE) compared to standard care (SC) alone. The analysis used cardiovascular event reduction data demonstrated with IPE in the REDUCE-IT study and third-party data regarding the cost associated with treating such high-risk patients, including costs for treating heart attacks and strokes if they are not reduced by IPE.

Based on the results of this analysis, IPE was found to be a dominant strategy over the lifetime in 69.7% of simulations with the probability of CE at the nominal $50,000, $100,000, and $150,000 thresholds being replicated in 87.9%, 98.6%, and 99.9% of simulations, respectively. Being a dominant strategy means that not only is the therapy found to be cost-effective based on typical quality-adjusted life year (QALY) criteria but also that the therapy in most scenarios saves money for society. While the REDUCE-IT study was not powered for subgroup analysis, CE analysis was also conducted for subgroups of age, sex, diabetic status and whether they were secondary or primary prevention patients at the time of being enrolled into the REDUCE-IT study. In multiple subgroups, IPE was reported to be a dominant strategy over lifetime, in particular the subgroups of: age