Edding today shared positive, statistically significant top-line results from Protocol Number EDPC003R01, a Phase III clinical trial study of VASCEPA^® (icosapent ethyl) conducted in China. The study, which investigated VASCEPA^® as a treatment for patients with very high triglycerides (≥500 mg/dL), met its primary efficacy endpoint as defined in the clinical trial protocol and demonstrated a safety profile similar to placebo. The findings are being prepared to support Edding’s dossier for seeking regulatory approval of  VASCEPA^® in Mainland China.

The EDPC003R01 trial was a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 12-week pivotal study in adult patients in China with qualifying fasting triglyceride (TG) levels greater than or equal to 500 mg/dL and less than or equal to 2000 mg/dL. The median baseline TG levels in the study were 812 mg/dL and 837 mg/dL for the patients assigned to placebo (n=123) and 4 grams per day of VASCEPA (n=122), respectively. Prior to randomization into the 12-week double-blind treatment period, all patients underwent a six- to eight-week washout period of lipid altering drugs, as well as diet and lifestyle stabilization.

The study’s primary endpoint, the percent change in TG levels from baseline to week 12, was met for the 4 gram per day VASCEPA^® dose group. The patient group assigned to 4 grams per day of VASCEPA^® showed a statistically significant median TG decrease of 19.9% (p<0.001) compared to placebo at the end of the 12-week treatment period.

Consistent with Amarin’s MARINE study in a similar patient population, the 4 gram per day dose of VASCEPA^® in the EDPC003R01 trial did not result in a significant median increase from baseline in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) compared to placebo at the end of the 12-week treatment period. The primary results of MARINE were published in the American Journal of Cardiology in June 2011. Results from the MARINE study were the basis for VASCEPA^®’s initial approval in the United States for triglyceride lowering before the successful results of the REDUCE-IT^® cardiovascular outcomes study.

Importantly, the VASCEPA^® 4 gram per day dose in EDPC003R01 appeared to be well-tolerated with a safety profile similar to placebo. There were no treatment-related serious adverse events in the EDPC003R01 study.

“We are proud to share news of these positive data from our partner’s pivotal Phase 3 clinical study of VASCEPA^® in China. Elevated triglycerides are a known marker of risk for pancreatitis and for cardiovascular disease. The statistically significant reduction in TG levels seen with the VASCEPA^® 4 gram per day dose in the study highlights its potential to address an unmet medical need in China, where hypertriglyceridemia is on the rise,” said Steven Ketchum, Ph.D., senior vice president and president, research & development and chief scientific officer at Amarin. “This pivotal study in China mirrored Amarin’s MARINE study in patients from the United States and other countries, and we are pleased that the data show consistency across the Chinese and non-Chinese study populations. With these favorable data, we now look forward to supporting our partner, Edding, in compiling and submitting its dossier at the earliest possible opportunity for regulatory review in China.”

“We are very pleased that the Phase III clinical study of VASCEPA^®in Mainland China has achieved positive results. Cardiovascular (CV) disease is the largest cause of death in China with significant unmet needs to address. Prevention and treatment of CV diseases is one of the major initiatives promoted by Health China 2030. VASCEPA^® is anticipated to be launched to further address the pressing needs with superior clinical performance and considered one of the most transformative therapies in CV benefit since introduction of statin therapy. We will try our best to promote VASCEPA^® to market as soon as possible in order to benefit more Chinese patients," said Mr. Xin Ni, founder, chairman and CEO of Edding. "VASCEPA^® has huge medical value and commercial potential in the fast-growing Chinese market. We will work with Amarin to submit the new drug application as soon as possible to bring this cross-era innovative drug to China.”

Amarin intends to support Edding in its pursuit of an appropriate label for VASCEPA^® in China reflecting the results of EDPC003R01 and all other available data supporting the safety and efficacy of VASCEPA^®.

About Edding

Edding is a leading integrated pharmaceutical company in China. Edding’s vision is to become a leading ‘Global for China' pharmaceutical company focusing on three core therapeutic areas, namely anti-infectives, cardiovascular disease and respiratory system, by leveraging Edding’s market-tested full value chain capabilities. For more information about Edding, visit www.eddingpharm.com.

About Hypertriglyceridemia in China

There were approximately 180.4 million hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) patients in China in 2019, representing approximately 20.2% of the adult population. Among all HTG patients in China, there were approximately 9 million adults who had very high TG levels (≥500 mg/dL). In 2019, there were approximately 36.1 million statin-treated adult patients in China with elevated TG levels (≥150 mg/dL) and either established CVD or diabetes mellitus and two or more additional risk factors for CVD, the addressable patients of the FDA-approved indication for reducing CV events of VASCEPA® in China.

About Amarin

Amarin Corporation plc is a rapidly growing, innovative pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing therapeutics to cost-effectively improve cardiovascular health. Amarin’s lead product,  VASCEPA^® (icosapent ethyl), is available by prescription in the United States, Canada, Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates.  VASCEPA^® is not yet approved and available in any other countries. Amarin, on its own or together with its commercial partners in select geographies, is pursuing additional regulatory approvals for  VASCEPA^® in China, Europe and the Middle East. For more information about Amarin, visit www.amarincorp.com.

About VASCEPA® (icosapent ethyl) Capsules

VASCEPA® (icosapent ethyl) capsules are the first-and-only prescription treatment approved by the FDA comprised solely of the active ingredient, icosapent ethyl (IPE), a unique form of eicosapentaenoic acid. VASCEPA® was initially launched in the United States in 2013 based on the drug’s initial FDA approved indication for use as an adjunct therapy to diet to reduce triglyceride levels in adult patients with severe (≥500 mg/dL) hypertriglyceridemia. Since launch, VASCEPA® has been prescribed over eight million times. VASCEPA® is covered by most major medical insurance plans. The new, cardiovascular risk indication for VASCEPA® was approved by the FDA in December 2019.

Indications and Limitation of Use

VASCEPA® is indicated:

• As an adjunct to maximally tolerated statin therapy to reduce the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, coronary revascularization and unstable angina requiring hospitalization in adult patients with elevated triglyceride (TG) levels (≥ 150 mg/dL) and

• established cardiovascular disease or

• diabetes mellitus and two or more additional risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

• As an adjunct to diet to reduce TG levels in adult patients with severe (≥ 500 mg/dL) hypertriglyceridemia.

The effect of VASCEPA® on the risk for pancreatitis in patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia has not been determined.

Important Safety Information

• VASCEPA® is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity (e.g., anaphylactic reaction) to VASCEPA or any of its components.

• VASCEPA® was associated with an increased risk (3% vs 2%) of atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter requiring hospitalization in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The incidence of atrial fibrillation was greater in patients with a previous history of atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter.

• It is not known whether patients with allergies to fish and/or shellfish are at an increased risk of an allergic reaction to VASCEPA®. Patients with such allergies should discontinue VASCEPA® if any reactions occur. 

• VASCEPA® was associated with an increased risk (12% vs 10%) of bleeding in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The incidence of bleeding was greater in patients receiving concomitant antithrombotic medications, such as aspirin, clopidogrel or warfarin.

• Common adverse reactions in the cardiovascular outcomes trial (incidence ≥3% and ≥1% more frequent than placebo): musculoskeletal pain (4% vs 3%), peripheral edema (7% vs 5%), constipation (5% vs 4%), gout (4% vs 3%), and atrial fibrillation (5% vs 4%).

• Common adverse reactions in the hypertriglyceridemia trials (incidence >1% more frequent than placebo): arthralgia (2% vs 1%) and oropharyngeal pain (1% vs 0.3%).

•  Adverse events may be reported by calling 1-855-VASCEPA® or the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

•  Patients receiving VASCEPA® and concomitant anticoagulants and/or anti-platelet agents should be monitored for bleeding.

Key clinical effects of VASCEPA® on major adverse cardiovascular events are included in the Clinical Studies section of the prescribing information for VASCEPA® as set forth below:

Effect of VASCEPA on Time to First Occurrence of Cardiovascular Events in Patients with

Elevated Triglyceride levels and Other Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease in REDUCE-IT