NICE backs new treatment to reduce stroke and heart attack deaths

Nearly half a million people in England and Wales at serious risk of a secondary and possibly fatal cardiovascular event, such as a stroke or heart attack, could benefit from a new treatment following a recommendation from the UK’s health technology assessor.

Ireland-headquartered fish oil-based heart drug specialist Amarin Corporation (Nasdaq: AMRN) today announced that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended the use of Vazkepa (icosapent ethyl) in adult statin-treated patients at high cardiovascular risk who have elevated triglycerides (≥150 mg/dL [≥ 1.7 mmol/L]), LDL-C levels >1.04 mmol/L (and ≤ 2.60 mmol/L) and established cardiovascular disease (CVD). The final guidance is expected to be available on the 20th of July 2022.

This is the first treatment in this class recommended by the NICE for CV risk reduction. Icosapent ethyl is a new active substance, comprising a highly purified omega-3 fatty acid (eicosapentaenoic acid >96%). With this recommendation, icosapent ethyl has the potential to benefit more than one million people in England at high risk of a subsequent CV event, such as a second heart attack.