Drug Overview
Vascepa (icosapent ethyl; Amarin) is an ethyl ester of the omega-3 fatty acid EPA, which is converted to EPA during the absorption process in the small intestine. Like other omega-3 FAs, it appears to reduce production of triglyceride (TG)-rich very low-density lipoproteins in the liver and increase the removal rate of TG from such lipoproteins. Potential mechanisms include increased mitochondrial and peroxisomal β-oxidation in the liver, inhibition of acyl-CoA:1,2-diacylglycerol acyltransferase, increased lipoprotein lipase activity, and decreased lipogenesis in the liver, possibly through regulation of certain gene transcription factors (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1, and carbohydrate-responsive element-binding protein). However, EPA may have other effects, such as on plaque development and stability, that differ from DHA, the other major omega-3 FA found in most preparations.
CONTENTS
4 OVERVIEW
4 Drug Overview
5 Product Profiles
5 Vascepa : Dyslipidemia
LIST OF FIGURES
9 Figure 1: Omega-3 FAs, 4g/day, median reductions in triglycerides
12 Figure 2: Datamonitor Healthcare’s drug assessment summary of Vascepa for dyslipidemia
13 Figure 3: Datamonitor Healthcare’s drug assessment summary of Vascepa for dyslipidemia
16 Figure 4: Vascepa sales for dyslipidemia across the US, Japan, and five major EU markets, by country, 2018–27
LIST OF TABLES
6 Table 1: Recent high-impact events for Vascepa in dyslipidemia
7 Table 2: Vascepa drug profile
8 Table 3: Vascepa, changes in triglycerides and cardiovascular outcomes
10 Table 4: Clinical trials for Vascepa in dyslipidemia
11 Table 5: Vascepa for dyslipidemia – SWOT analysis