Amarin - VASCEPA - “Suitable Partner” Coming Soon
Approval of Vascepa (formerly AMR-101, pharma-grade ethyl icosapentate/omega fatty acid – no DHA) as an adjunct to diet to reduce triglyceride (TG) levels in severe hypertriglyceridemia (>500mg/dL) was in line with our expectations. Vascepa should gain a significant market share on the strength of its benefits over its competitors - statistical significant reduction in Apo B and VLDL-C as well as LDL-C neutrality. AMRN’s shares should remain volatile around news flow related to announcement of a “great licensing/acq deal”, NCE status (next Orange Book publication in mid-August), pricing, and label expansion in ANCHOR indication (filing by 4Q12). For more detail, please read our report released on 27th July, 2012, titled, “VASCEPA - “Suitable Partner” Coming Soon”.
