Benzinga | Aug 23, 2021 10:23AM EDT

Amarin Early Monday Morning Reported Data From REDUCE-IT Study Showing Vascepa/Vazkepa Reduced Ischemic Events In Patients With Prior Heart Attacks Was Presented At European Society Of Cardiology Congress

VASCEPA found in prespecified and post hoc analyses to reduce first and total primary endpoints by 26% and 35%, respectively, in patients with prior Myocardial Infarction

DUBLIN, Ireland and BRIDGEWATER, N.J., Aug. 23, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Amarin Corporation plc (NASDAQ:AMRN) today announced that data adding to the growing body of knowledge on VASCEPA(r)/VAZKEPA (icosapent ethyl) in patients with prior heart attack, known as myocardial infarction (MI), at risk for major adverse cardiovascular events were delivered in a Late Breaking Science Presentation at ESC Congress 2021, organized by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), taking place virtually from August 27 -- August 30, 2021.

The presentation titled, "Reduction in Ischemic Events, Including Cardiovascular Mortality, with Icosapent Ethyl in Patients with Prior Myocardial Infarction: REDUCE-IT PRIOR MI," was presented on behalf of all authors by Deepak L. Bhatt, M.D., M.P.H., Executive Director of Interventional Cardiovascular Programs at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, and principal investigator of REDUCE-IT(r) and is available On-Demand beginning today at 3:00 am ET (9:00 am CEST) through the completion of the Congress.

The Late Breaking Science Presentation included both prespecified and post hoc analyses of patients who had prior MI from the REDUCE-IT study (prior to trial randomization) to determine if treatment with VASCEPA (icosapent ethyl) reduced further ischemic events in those subjects.

"The REDUCE-IT PRIOR MI analyses provide valuable data supporting an effective new approach to prevent ischemic events using prescription icosapent ethyl in patients who have had previous heart attacks," commented Dr. Bhatt. "The benefits in these heart attack patients at-risk for another cardiovascular event are particularly important given these patients are at elevated risk for recurrent cardiovascular problems. These results further strengthen the case for pure eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in the form of prescription icosapent ethyl as a key intervention beyond statins for meaningful risk reduction by physicians caring for this high-risk population."

The investigators concluded that, "Icosapent ethyl 4 g/day significantly reduced first and total primary endpoints of 5-point major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE), comprised of CV death, MI, stroke, coronary revascularization, and hospitalization for unstable angina by 26% and 35%, respectively, in patients with prior MI (P=0.00001 and P=0.0000001, respectively). Icosapent ethyl led to generally robust reductions across the prespecified hierarchy of secondary endpoints, and in sudden cardiac death and cardiac arrest. The benefits of icosapent ethyl in patients with prior MI were consistent in those with or without a history or prior revascularization."

"The global burden of cardiovascular disease is a growing problem worldwide. For patients with prior MI, the risk of ischemic events is even greater. We are delighted to have these analyses presented at this year's ESC as they show our prescription icosapent ethyl provides substantial cardiovascular risk reduction in the high-risk REDUCE-IT population, with consistent and significant benefits in patients who have experienced a prior MI," stated Steven Ketchum, Ph.D., executive vice president and president, research & development and chief scientific officer, Amarin.

Additional REDUCE-IT and icosapent ethyl (EPA)-related topics will be presented at ESC Congress 2021 and can be found at https://digital-congress.escardio.org/ESC-Congress (if registered to ESC Congress).

Dr. Bhatt receives research funding paid to Brigham and Women's Hospital from Amarin for his role as the Chair of REDUCE-IT.