Aegerion Study Shows Combination Treatment With Aegr-733 And Zetia® Reduces Ldl Levels By
Phase two study results presented today at American Heart Association meeting in Chicago, IL indicate
monotherapy or combination therapy with AEGR-733 effectively reduces LDL cholesterol levels in high risk
BRIDGEWATER, N.J. – November 15, 2006 – Aegerion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a specialty pharmaceuticals
company focused on the treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic disease, today announced interim results
from its on-going phase II clinical trial involving its lead cholesterol management compound, AEGR-733, alone
and in combination with Zetia® (ezetimibe). In the study, patients treated with a combination of 10 mg dose
of Zetia® and 5 mg AEGR-733 achieved a LDL reduction of 35% after 4 weeks. Patients treated with Zetia®
alone achieved a 20% reduction in LDL cholesterol. There was no difference in discontinuation rates between
the patients treated with the combination of AEGR 733 plus 10 mg of Zetia® vs. those treated with 10 mg of
Zetia® alone. In addition, treatment with both 5 mg and 7.5 mg doses of AEGR 733 were shown to be
effective as monotherapy (mean LDL- C reductions of 19% and 28%, respectively).
“These results are a demonstration of the potential broad applicability of AEGR-733 in treatment as a
monotherapy and in combination with current lipid lowering therapies,” commented Fredrick F. Samaha, MD,
Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and the principle investigator
for this study. “There is a clear unmet medical need in the management of hypercholesterolemia and this
class of compounds, known as MTP-inhibitors, has the potential to play an important role as treatment
patterns continue to evolve in the direction of combination therapy.”
Final study results for the current trial are expected in the first quarter of 2007. Aegerion plans to initiate
several additional Phase II trials in early 2007, including one that will examine the LDL lowering efficacy of
various doses of AEGR 733 used in combination with Lipitor® vs. the agents used as monotherapy.
Aegerion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a privately held specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the
development and commercialization of promising pharmaceuticals to treat cardiovascular and metabolic
disease. The company's initial focus is on hyperlipidemia. Its most advanced products, including AEGR 733,
are microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) inhibitors that have demonstrated significant LDL lowering
activity in human trials. Aegerion has recently licensed a second MTP inhibitor compound, implitapide, and
plans to enter additional phase II testing with implitapide in 2007.
CONTACT: Paul Hendley, Berry & Company Public Relations, 212-253-8881 ([email protected]).
Editor’s Note: Aegerion will present its findings today at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions,
Chicago (IL) McCormack Convention Center at 11:15AM
Why is Chinese Medicine so Effective for Depression? Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft, Wellbutrin…these names have become familiar to most of us. Why? Because depression has become so prevalent in our society. We are constantly pressured to do more and get more done, while struggling with the pressures of our personal and professional lives, the economy, and national and world events. Sometimes, de