Aegerion Pharmaceuticals Announces Issuance of Patent by European Patent Office

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Nov. 28, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aegerion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. AEGR, an emerging biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel therapeutics to treat debilitating and often fatal rare diseases, announced today the issuance by the European Patent Office of Patent No. EP1725234 for a method of treating hyperlipidemia or hypercholesterolemia, including severe hypercholesterolemia, using step-wise, increasing doses of lomitapide. Aegerion's New Drug Application for lomitapide is under review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and its Marketing Authorization Application for lomitapide is under review by the European Medicines Agency. Aegerion is seeking approval of lomitapide as an adjunct to a low-fat diet and other lipid-lowering therapies to reduce cholesterol in adult patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH).

The patent, entitled "Methods for Treating Disorders or Diseases Associated with Hyperlipidemia and Hypercholesterolemia While Minimizing Side Effects," describes the method of treating hyperlipidemia or hypercholesterolemia, including severe hypercholesterolemia, by gradually titrating the doses of lomitapide to increase the drug's desired activity, while managing the tolerability profile for the patient. Such dosing regimens are an important component of Aegerion's development of lomitapide as a potential treatment of HoFH.

"This patent expands our intellectual property portfolio for lomitapide," commented Marc D. Beer, Chief Executive Officer of Aegerion. "This issuance is another important step in the development of lomitapide as a potential treatment for HoFH in the European Union."

The patent expires in 2025. A corresponding patent issued in the United States in April 2011.

About Aegerion Pharmaceuticals

Aegerion Pharmaceuticals is an emerging biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel, life-altering therapeutics to treat debilitating and often fatal rare diseases. The company's lead drug candidate, lomitapide, is in late-stage development for the treatment of homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH), a rare life-threatening disease characterized by severely elevated cholesterol levels.  

Aegerion is motivated by its commitment to patients first, as well as its core values of integrity, innovation, responsibility to healthcare providers and development of employees, with a constant focus on scientific and clinical excellence. For more information, visit www.aegerion.com.