DUBLIN, Ireland and BRIDGEWATER, N.J. and NANTOU, Taiwan, July 31, 2023 (GLOBE
NEWSWIRE) -- Amarin Corporation plc (NASDAQ:AMRN) and Lotus Pharmaceuticals
(1795:TT; "Lotus") today announced that the two companies have entered into a
long-term exclusive partnership to distribute and commercialize VAZKEPA(®)
(icosapent ethyl) across 10 countries, including nine in Southeast Asia (the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations - ASEAN) and South Korea.
VAZKEPA capsules have been approved and commercialized in a number of global
markets, including the U.S. and European markets, as the first prescription
treatment comprised solely of the active ingredient, icosapent ethyl, a highly
purified form of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).
"We are excited to announce this exclusive partnership with Lotus, a leading
pharmaceutical commercialization partner in Asia," said Patrick Holt, President
& CEO, Amarin. "Lotus' strong commercialization capabilities and footprint
across ASEAN markets and South Korea make them the ideal partner to help us
expand patient access to VAZKEPA -- an innovative treatment option to reduce
cardiovascular risk -- across the region and fuel our international growth."
Petar Vazharov, Chief Executive Officer of Lotus, commented, "We are thrilled to
embark on this strategic partnership with Amarin. This agreement aligns
seamlessly with Lotus' strategic objective to bring novel and transformative
treatments to patients and allows us the opportunity to further leverage our
commercial infrastructure that we have built in key markets across Asia."
The ASEAN region and South Korea includes a total of 14 million statin-treated
patients representing a total hyperlipidemia market of approximately $2
billion.(i) The largest markets within the ASEAN region include Thailand,
Malaysia and Philippines.(i) Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading
cause of morbidity, mortality, and health care costs in South Korea.(ii)
Under the terms of the agreement, Lotus will have exclusive rights to
distribution and commercial promotion for VAZKEPA in South Korea and nine
countries in ASEAN: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the
Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. As part of the agreement, Amarin
will receive an upfront payment as well as pricing and reimbursement and sales
milestone payments based on net sales of the product. Amarin will be responsible
for supplying finished product to Lotus at a pre-defined supply price.
About Amarin
Amarin is an innovative pharmaceutical company leading a new paradigm in
cardiovascular disease management. We are committed to increasing the scientific
understanding of the cardiovascular risk that persists beyond traditional
therapies and advancing the treatment of that risk for patients worldwide.
Amarin has offices in Bridgewater, New Jersey in the United States, Dublin in
Ireland, Zug in Switzerland, and other countries in Europe as well as commercial
partners and suppliers around the world.
About Lotus Pharmaceuticals
Founded in 1966, Lotus (1795: TT) is an international pharmaceutical company
with global presence, focused on commercializing novel and generic
pharmaceuticals, offering patients better, safer and more accessible medicines.
The Company has a recognized best-in-class R&D and manufacturing platform in
Asia and has established partnerships in nearly every global market including
the U.S., Europe, Japan, China, and Brazil. Lotus runs over 100 strategically
selected pharmaceutical projects in development and registrations across Asia
and the US, with over 250 commercial products. The Company invests in
diversified best portfolio consisting of high-barrier oncology, complex generics
as well as 505(b)2 and NCE via internal R&D investment and licensing-in
partnership, and also strengthens its portfolio competitiveness by adding
biosimilar products with support from strategic partners. Its industry-leading
infrastructure certified by most of the advanced regulatory authorities around
the world, including US FDA, EU EMA, Japan PMDA, China FDA, and Brazil ANVISA.
About VAZKEPA(®) (icosapent ethyl) Capsules
VAZKEPA capsules are the first prescription treatment comprised solely of the active ingredient, icosapent ethyl, a highly purified form of eicosapentaenoic acid. Since launch, icosapent ethyl has been prescribed over 18 million times. In addition to the United States, icosapent ethyl is approved and sold in Canada, Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates under the brand name VASCEPA. In March
2021, marketing authorization was granted to icosapent ethyl in the European Union under the brand name VAZKEPA to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in adult statin-treated patients at high cardiovascular risk with elevated triglycerides (>= 150 mg/dL (>= 1.7 mmol/L)) and established cardiovascular
disease or diabetes and at least one other cardiovascular risk factor(1). In April 2021 marketing authorization for VAZKEPA (icosapent ethyl) was granted in Great Britain (applying to England, Scotland and Wales). VAZKEPA (icosapent ethyl) is currently approved and sold in Europe in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Austria and the UK.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements which are made pursuant
to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995, including beliefs about Amarin's partnership in the ASEAN region and South
Korea and the potential impact in those territories; Amarin's overall efforts to
expand access and reimbursement to VAZKEPA across global markets; and the
overall potential and future success of VASCEPA/VAZKEPA generally. These
forward-looking statements are not promises or guarantees and involve
substantial risks and uncertainties. A further list and description of these
risks, uncertainties and other risks associated with an investment in Amarin can
be found in Amarin's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission,
including Amarin's annual report on Form 10-K for the full year ended 2022.
Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on
these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made.
Amarin undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information contained in
its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future
events or circumstances or otherwise. Amarin's forward-looking statements do not
reflect the potential impact of significant transactions the company may enter
into, such as mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures or any
material agreements that Amarin may enter into, amend or terminate.
Availability of Other Information About Amarin
Amarin communicates with its investors and the public using the company website
(www.amarincorp.com (http://www.amarincorp.com)) and the investor relations
website (investor.amarincorp.com), including but not limited to investor
presentations and FAQs, Securities and Exchange Commission filings, press
releases, public conference calls and webcasts. The information that Amarin
posts on these channels and websites could be deemed to be material information.
As a result, Amarin encourages investors, the media and others interested in
Amarin to review the information that is posted on these channels, including the
investor relations website, on a regular basis. This list of channels may be
updated from time to time on Amarin's investor relations website and may include
social media channels. The contents of Amarin's website or these channels, or
any other website that may be accessed from its website or these channels, shall
not be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act
of 1933.
Amarin Contact Information
Investor Inquiries:
Jordan Zwick
Amarin Corporation plc
IR@amarincorp.com (mailto:IR@amarincorp.com)
Media Inquiries:
Mark Marmur
Amarin Corporation plc
PR@amarincorp.com (mailto:PR@amarincorp.com)
(1) Vazkepa(®) (icosapent ethyl): Summary of Product Characteristics. Available
from: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/vazkepa-epar-
product-information_en.pdf (accessed Nov 2022)
(i) Source: IQVIA MAT 1Q 2022
(ii) Implementation of National Health Policy for the Prevention and Control of
Cardiovascular Disease in South Korea: Regional-Local Cardio-Cerebrovascular
Center and Nationwide Registry. Korean Circulation Journal
2021; 51(5): 383-398. Published online: 12 April 2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4070/kcj.2021.0001
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