Topic: How To Invest

Pat: Can I have your recommendation on Esperion Therapeutics? Thanks.

Article Excerpt

Esperion Therapeutics, $15.89, symbol ESPR on Nasdaq (Shares outstanding: 15.4 million; Market cap: $238.6 million; www.esperion.com), develops treatments for patients with elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). LDL-C, known as “bad cholesterol,” can collect in the walls of blood vessels, causing blockages in arteries. Higher LDL-C levels can increase the risk of a heart attack. The company first sold shares to the public at $14 each and began trading on Nasdaq on June 26, 2013. ETC-1002, Esperion’s lead development drug, is designed to lower LDL-C levels and avoid side effects associated with existing LDL-C therapies, known as statins. The company has designed ETC-1002 for statin-intolerant patients with higher LDL-C levels. Statins work by blocking a substance the body needs to make cholesterol. They may also help the body reabsorb cholesterol that has built up in the form of plaque on artery walls, preventing further blockage and heart attacks. Common statins on the market include atorvastatin (Lipitor), simvastatin (Zocor), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol) and rosuvastatin…