ANN ARBOR, Mich. — December 19, 2025 — Leads & Copy — Esperion (NASDAQ: ESPR) announced that bempedoic acid has been included as a first-line therapy for lowering LDL-C in patients on maximally tolerated statins, according to the 2025 American College of Cardiology (ACC) Scientific Statement on Management of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) in Adults with Diabetes.
Sheldon Koenig, CEO of Esperion, stated that the inclusion of bempedoic acid reinforces its role as a proven therapy for reducing cardiovascular and limb risk in high-risk populations. He also anticipates the forthcoming U.S. dyslipidemia treatment guidelines from ACC/American Heart Association (AHA) in early 2026 will include bempedoic acid, consistent with European guidelines issued in August.
The ACC recommendations include treating LDL-C to a target reduction of >50% and a goal of <55 mg/dL, using therapies with cardiovascular benefit. High-intensity statins, reinforced by ezetimibe, PCSK9 inhibitors, or bempedoic acid, are recommended to reduce cardiovascular and limb risk.
The scientific statement, “Management of peripheral artery disease in adults with diabetes: 2025 ACC scientific statement; a report of the American College of Cardiology,” was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology and includes data from the 2024 AHA Scientific Sessions presentation “Bempedoic Acid and Limb Outcomes in Statin-Intolerant Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease.”
The analysis focused on major adverse limb events (MALE) in patients with pre-existing PAD enrolled in the CLEAR Outcomes trial. Bempedoic acid reduced MALE by 36% compared to placebo, supporting its use as an option for lowering LDL-C and the risk of major adverse limb events in PAD patients.
NEXLIZET and NEXLETOL, which contain bempedoic acid, are indicated to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults at increased risk who cannot take recommended statin therapy. NEXLIZET is also indicated to reduce LDL-C in adults with hypercholesterolemia, including HeFH. NEXLETOL, in combination with other LDL-C lowering therapies, or alone when concomitant LDL-C lowering therapy is not possible, is indicated to reduce LDL-C in adults with hypercholesterolemia, including HeFH.
Contraindications for NEXLIZET and NEXLETOL include prior hypersensitivity to bempedoic acid or ezetimibe. The drugs may increase blood uric acid levels, potentially leading to gout, and are associated with an increased risk of tendon rupture or injury.
Common adverse reactions associated with bempedoic acid include 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 with ezetimibe include upper respiratory tract infection, diarrhea, arthralgia, sinusitis, pain in extremity, fatigue, and influenza.
Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and delivering cardiometabolic and rare/orphan disease therapies. Esperion markets two oral, once-daily, non-statin therapies for patients with high LDL-C levels and at risk of cardiovascular disease.
Esperion Contact Information:
Investors: Alina Venezia, investorrelations@esperion.com, (734) 887-3903
Media: Tiffany Aldrich, corporateteam@esperion.com, (616) 443-8438
Source: Esperion Therapeutics
