Esperion Welcomes Bempedoic Acid Inclusion in 2025 ACC Guidelines
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Dec 19 2025
0mins
Should l Buy ESPR?
Esperion welcomed the inclusion of bempedoic acid as a first-line, evidence-based therapy for LDL-C lowering for patients on maximally tolerated statins in the 2025 American College of Cardiology, ACC, Scientific Statement on Management of Peripheral Artery Disease, PAD, in Adults with Diabetes. "We recognize the significance of the American College of Cardiology's scientific statement highlighting the importance of aggressive LDL-C lowering in patients with diabetes and peripheral artery disease. The inclusion of bempedoic acid reinforces its important role as a proven, evidence-based therapy for reducing both cardiovascular and limb risk in high-risk populations," said Sheldon Koenig, CEO of Esperion. Key ACC Recommendations for LDL-C Lowering in Adults with PAD and Diabetes: Treatment of LDL-C to a target reduction greater than 50% and goal less than 55 mg/dL is recommended, using therapies with proven cardiovascular benefit. High-intensity statins, reinforced by ezetimibe, PCSK9 inhibitors, or bempedoic acid as needed, effectively reduce cardiovascular and limb risk.
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Analyst Views on ESPR
Wall Street analysts forecast ESPR stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for ESPR is 7.94 USD with a low forecast of 1.72 USD and a high forecast of 16.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
5 Analyst Rating
4 Buy
0 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 3.180
Low
1.72
Averages
7.94
High
16.00
Current: 3.180
Low
1.72
Averages
7.94
High
16.00
About ESPR
Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. is a commercial stage biopharmaceutical company. The Company is focused on developing and commercializing oral, once-daily, non-statin medicines for patients who are at risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and are struggling with elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Its products include NEXLETOL, NEXLIZET, NILEMDO and NUSTENDI. Its NEXLETOL and NEXLIZET (bempedoic acid and ezetimibe) tablets are oral, once-daily, non-statin medicines to lower the risk of myocardial infarction and coronary revascularization in adults with primary hyperlipidemia. Its NEXLETOL is an ATP Citrate Lyase (ACLY), inhibitor that lowers LDL-C and cardiovascular risk by reducing cholesterol biosynthesis and up-regulating the LDL receptors. Its NUSTENDI contains bempedoic acid and ezetimibe and lowers elevated LDL-C through complementary mechanisms of action by inhibiting cholesterol synthesis in the liver and absorption in the intestine.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Esperion Therapeutics Reports Strong 2025 Preliminary Results with $400 Million Revenue
- Significant Revenue Growth: Esperion's preliminary total revenue for 2025 reached $400 million to $408 million, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 20% to 23%, indicating strong market demand and product acceptance in the cardiovascular treatment sector.
- Strong Product Sales: The company's U.S. net product sales for NEXLETOL and NEXLIZET are projected to be between $156 million and $160 million, representing a 35% to 38% increase compared to 2024, showcasing expanded physician adoption and reimbursement coverage.
- Enhanced Financial Flexibility: As of year-end 2025, Esperion reported approximately $168 million in cash and cash equivalents, providing financial support for ongoing commercial expansion and pipeline development, ensuring sustainable future growth.
- Long-Term Strategic Planning: Esperion introduced its “Vision 2040” strategy aimed at evolving into a multi-product, innovation-driven global pharmaceutical company focused on cardiometabolic disease prevention and expansion into rare hepatic and renal indications, demonstrating the company's ambitious future development plans.
See More
Esperion Reports $156-$160 Million in 2025 Sales, Unveils Vision 2040 Strategy
- Significant Sales Growth: Esperion anticipates U.S. net product sales for 2025 to be between $156 million and $160 million, reflecting a 35% to 38% increase compared to 2024, indicating strong performance and demand in the cardiovascular sector.
- Optimistic Revenue Outlook: The company expects total revenue to range from $400 million to $408 million in 2025, representing a 20% to 23% increase from 2024, showcasing success in product portfolio expansion and market penetration.
- Vision Strategy Unveiled: Esperion introduced its Vision 2040 strategy, aiming to evolve into a global leader in cardiovascular disease prevention with a diversified product portfolio and a robust pipeline, targeting at least five blockbuster products by 2040.
- Market Expansion Plans: The company plans to enhance its revenue opportunities in the cardiovascular prevention market by investing in sales and marketing, particularly through the introduction of two triple combination products, which are expected to significantly boost competitive positioning.
See More
Esperion's Bempedoic Acid Recognized by ACC as First-Line LDL-C Lowering Therapy
- Therapy Recognition: Esperion's bempedoic acid has been included in the 2025 American College of Cardiology (ACC) Scientific Statement as a first-line therapy for LDL-C lowering in patients on maximally tolerated statins, highlighting its significance in high-risk populations.
- Cardiovascular Risk Reduction: The CLEAR Outcomes trial demonstrated a 36% reduction in major adverse limb events (MALE) with bempedoic acid, which not only validates its efficacy but also provides crucial treatment guidance for clinicians.
- Future Guidelines: Esperion anticipates that bempedoic acid will be further recognized in the upcoming 2026 U.S. dyslipidemia treatment guidelines, enhancing its market position in cardiovascular disease management.
- Market Potential: Esperion is focused on developing non-statin oral therapies, currently approved in over 40 countries globally, showcasing its extensive market opportunities and growth potential in the cardiovascular disease sector.
See More
Esperion's Bempedoic Acid Recognized by ACC for LDL-C Lowering in PAD Patients
- Treatment Recognition: Esperion's bempedoic acid has been included in the 2025 American College of Cardiology (ACC) guidelines for LDL-C lowering in patients with diabetes and peripheral artery disease (PAD), highlighting its significance as a first-line therapy, which is expected to boost market acceptance and sales growth.
- Clinical Efficacy: The CLEAR Outcomes trial demonstrated a 36% reduction in major adverse limb events (MALE) with bempedoic acid, not only validating its effectiveness in high-risk populations but also potentially increasing physician confidence and prescription rates.
- Market Outlook: With the upcoming U.S. dyslipidemia treatment guidelines expected in 2026, bempedoic acid is likely to receive further recommendations, and its positive endorsement in European guidelines will significantly enhance Esperion's market potential, especially among high-risk patient groups.
- Strategic Positioning: Esperion is focused on developing innovative therapies for cardiovascular diseases, and the recognition of bempedoic acid not only solidifies its position in the cardiovascular space but also lays the groundwork for future product line expansion and market penetration.
See More
Esperion Grants 380,000 Stock Options and 435,536 RSUs to New CCO John Harlow
- Executive Incentive Plan: On December 4, 2025, Esperion granted 380,000 non-qualified stock options to newly appointed CCO John Harlow, aimed at attracting and retaining key talent through equity incentives, thereby enhancing the company's competitive position in the biopharmaceutical industry.
- Restricted Stock Units: Additionally, 435,536 RSUs were awarded, with 424,536 shares allocated to Harlow, reflecting the company's recognition of his critical role in driving commercialization efforts, which is expected to boost his motivation and performance.
- Compliance with Incentive Plan: The grants of stock options and RSUs comply with Esperion's 2017 Inducement Equity Incentive Plan, ensuring transparency and compliance in attracting new employees, which helps to bolster investor confidence.
- Long-term Incentive Structure: The vesting structure of the options and RSUs, with 25% vesting after one year and the remaining 75% vesting quarterly, ensures that Harlow continues to create value for the company over the next three years, facilitating the implementation of the company's long-term growth strategy.
See More
Piper Sandler Upgrades Esperion to Overweight Due to CV Franchise
Piper Sandler Coverage Initiation: Piper Sandler has initiated coverage of Esperion Therapeutics (ESPR) with an overweight rating, highlighting the potential for significant sales growth of its cholesterol-lowering drugs, Nexletol and Nexlizet, with a price target of $9, indicating a potential upside of approximately 184%.
Sales Projections and Market Position: The firm anticipates that peak US sales for the drugs could exceed $650 million, supported by exclusivity agreements and a favorable clinical landscape, including expanded labeling for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events.
Cardiologist Survey Insights: A survey of cardiologists indicated that a significant portion believes the expanded label will enhance the role of Nexletol and Nexlizet in treatment options, with 35% expecting a notably greater role in patient care.
Recent Stock Performance: Following the positive coverage and market developments, Esperion shares experienced a ~16% increase in trading on Tuesday.
See More
Esperion Therapeutics Reports Strong 2025 Preliminary Results with $400 Million Revenue
- Significant Revenue Growth: Esperion's preliminary total revenue for 2025 reached $400 million to $408 million, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 20% to 23%, indicating strong market demand and product acceptance in the cardiovascular treatment sector.
- Strong Product Sales: The company's U.S. net product sales for NEXLETOL and NEXLIZET are projected to be between $156 million and $160 million, representing a 35% to 38% increase compared to 2024, showcasing expanded physician adoption and reimbursement coverage.
- Enhanced Financial Flexibility: As of year-end 2025, Esperion reported approximately $168 million in cash and cash equivalents, providing financial support for ongoing commercial expansion and pipeline development, ensuring sustainable future growth.
- Long-Term Strategic Planning: Esperion introduced its “Vision 2040” strategy aimed at evolving into a multi-product, innovation-driven global pharmaceutical company focused on cardiometabolic disease prevention and expansion into rare hepatic and renal indications, demonstrating the company's ambitious future development plans.
See More
Esperion Reports $156-$160 Million in 2025 Sales, Unveils Vision 2040 Strategy
- Significant Sales Growth: Esperion anticipates U.S. net product sales for 2025 to be between $156 million and $160 million, reflecting a 35% to 38% increase compared to 2024, indicating strong performance and demand in the cardiovascular sector.
- Optimistic Revenue Outlook: The company expects total revenue to range from $400 million to $408 million in 2025, representing a 20% to 23% increase from 2024, showcasing success in product portfolio expansion and market penetration.
- Vision Strategy Unveiled: Esperion introduced its Vision 2040 strategy, aiming to evolve into a global leader in cardiovascular disease prevention with a diversified product portfolio and a robust pipeline, targeting at least five blockbuster products by 2040.
- Market Expansion Plans: The company plans to enhance its revenue opportunities in the cardiovascular prevention market by investing in sales and marketing, particularly through the introduction of two triple combination products, which are expected to significantly boost competitive positioning.
See More
Esperion's Bempedoic Acid Recognized by ACC as First-Line LDL-C Lowering Therapy
- Therapy Recognition: Esperion's bempedoic acid has been included in the 2025 American College of Cardiology (ACC) Scientific Statement as a first-line therapy for LDL-C lowering in patients on maximally tolerated statins, highlighting its significance in high-risk populations.
- Cardiovascular Risk Reduction: The CLEAR Outcomes trial demonstrated a 36% reduction in major adverse limb events (MALE) with bempedoic acid, which not only validates its efficacy but also provides crucial treatment guidance for clinicians.
- Future Guidelines: Esperion anticipates that bempedoic acid will be further recognized in the upcoming 2026 U.S. dyslipidemia treatment guidelines, enhancing its market position in cardiovascular disease management.
- Market Potential: Esperion is focused on developing non-statin oral therapies, currently approved in over 40 countries globally, showcasing its extensive market opportunities and growth potential in the cardiovascular disease sector.
See More
Esperion's Bempedoic Acid Recognized by ACC for LDL-C Lowering in PAD Patients
- Treatment Recognition: Esperion's bempedoic acid has been included in the 2025 American College of Cardiology (ACC) guidelines for LDL-C lowering in patients with diabetes and peripheral artery disease (PAD), highlighting its significance as a first-line therapy, which is expected to boost market acceptance and sales growth.
- Clinical Efficacy: The CLEAR Outcomes trial demonstrated a 36% reduction in major adverse limb events (MALE) with bempedoic acid, not only validating its effectiveness in high-risk populations but also potentially increasing physician confidence and prescription rates.
- Market Outlook: With the upcoming U.S. dyslipidemia treatment guidelines expected in 2026, bempedoic acid is likely to receive further recommendations, and its positive endorsement in European guidelines will significantly enhance Esperion's market potential, especially among high-risk patient groups.
- Strategic Positioning: Esperion is focused on developing innovative therapies for cardiovascular diseases, and the recognition of bempedoic acid not only solidifies its position in the cardiovascular space but also lays the groundwork for future product line expansion and market penetration.
See More
Esperion Grants 380,000 Stock Options and 435,536 RSUs to New CCO John Harlow
- Executive Incentive Plan: On December 4, 2025, Esperion granted 380,000 non-qualified stock options to newly appointed CCO John Harlow, aimed at attracting and retaining key talent through equity incentives, thereby enhancing the company's competitive position in the biopharmaceutical industry.
- Restricted Stock Units: Additionally, 435,536 RSUs were awarded, with 424,536 shares allocated to Harlow, reflecting the company's recognition of his critical role in driving commercialization efforts, which is expected to boost his motivation and performance.
- Compliance with Incentive Plan: The grants of stock options and RSUs comply with Esperion's 2017 Inducement Equity Incentive Plan, ensuring transparency and compliance in attracting new employees, which helps to bolster investor confidence.
- Long-term Incentive Structure: The vesting structure of the options and RSUs, with 25% vesting after one year and the remaining 75% vesting quarterly, ensures that Harlow continues to create value for the company over the next three years, facilitating the implementation of the company's long-term growth strategy.
See More
Piper Sandler Upgrades Esperion to Overweight Due to CV Franchise
Piper Sandler Coverage Initiation: Piper Sandler has initiated coverage of Esperion Therapeutics (ESPR) with an overweight rating, highlighting the potential for significant sales growth of its cholesterol-lowering drugs, Nexletol and Nexlizet, with a price target of $9, indicating a potential upside of approximately 184%.
Sales Projections and Market Position: The firm anticipates that peak US sales for the drugs could exceed $650 million, supported by exclusivity agreements and a favorable clinical landscape, including expanded labeling for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events.
Cardiologist Survey Insights: A survey of cardiologists indicated that a significant portion believes the expanded label will enhance the role of Nexletol and Nexlizet in treatment options, with 35% expecting a notably greater role in patient care.
Recent Stock Performance: Following the positive coverage and market developments, Esperion shares experienced a ~16% increase in trading on Tuesday.
See More
