BEDMINSTER, N.J. and DUBLIN, Ireland, Jan. 22, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Amarin Corporation plc (Nasdaq:AMRN), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the commercialization and development of therapeutics to improve cardiovascular health, announced today that additional data from its pivotal MARINE and ANCHOR Phase 3 clinical trials are now available electronically through PubMed (available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23325450) and are expected to be published in the print issue of the American Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs in February 2013.

The publication, titled "Icosapent Ethyl, a Pure Ethyl Ester of Eicosapentaenoic Acid: Effects on Circulating Markers of Inflammation from the MARINE and ANCHOR Studies," is co-authored by Harold E. Bays, M.D. (Medical Director, Louisville Metabolic and Atherosclerosis Research Center), Christie M. Ballantyne, M.D. (Baylor College of Medicine and the Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center, Houston, TX), and Amarin scientists. The publication reports the effects of Vascepa^® (icosapent ethyl) capsules, alone and in combination with statin therapies, on inflammatory markers associated with cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis in hypertriglyceridemic patients. In addition to the previously reported favorable lipid effects of Vascepa on hypertriglyceridemic patients in the MARINE and ANCHOR studies, this newly published analysis of these studies shows that Vascepa 4g/day significantly decreased levels of several inflammatory markers relative to placebo, including oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL), lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA₂), and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP).  

"Statins are known to decrease hsCRP levels, and subjects in both MARINE and ANCHOR who received statin therapy were on stable therapy prior to administration of Vascepa," stated Steve Ketchum, Ph.D., President of Research and Development for Amarin. "The effects of Vascepa on inflammatory markers described in this publication were in addition to effects already achieved with statins. It is of interest that in ANCHOR, Vascepa decreased hsCRP more in higher-efficacy statin regimens, which is consistent with the previously reported ANCHOR findings of higher triglyceride reductions in patients with higher-efficacy statin regimens."

About Amarin

Amarin Corporation plc is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the commercialization and development of therapeutics to improve cardiovascular health. Amarin's product development program leverages its extensive experience in lipid science and the potential therapeutic benefits of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Vascepa^® (icosapent ethyl), Amarin's first FDA approved product, is a patented, ultra pure omega-3 fatty acid product comprising not less than 96% EPA. For more information about Vascepa visit www.vascepa.com. For more information about Amarin visit www.amarincorp.com.

The Amarin Corporation plc logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=13817

Forward-looking statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements about the potential efficacy, safety and therapeutic benefits of Amarin's product candidates, Amarin's clinical trial results, and the timing of publication, including statements about the clinical importance of certain biomarkers and the impact of Vascepa on such biomarkers. These forward-looking statements are not promises or guarantees and involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described or projected herein include uncertainties associated generally with research and development, clinical trials and related regulatory approvals, including the risk that historical clinical trial results may not be predictive of future results in replicated in larger patient populations. 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 its most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Amarin undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.

Amarin's product candidates are in various stages of development and are not available for sale or use outside of approved clinical trials. Nothing in this press release should be construed as promoting the use of such product candidates outside approved indications.