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Esperion (ESPR)
NASDAQ:ESPR
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Esperion
(NASDAQ:ESPR)
36Underperform
Positive Factors
Pipeline Expansion
Esperion is expanding its early-stage development pipeline with a new program targeting primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC).
Revenue Growth
Revenue continues to grow, with a 41% increase in NEXLETOL/NEXLIZET U.S. product revenue driven by retail prescription growth.
Strategic Partnerships
Esperion announced a license and distribution agreement with HLS Therapeutics for the commercialization of NEXLETOL and NEXLIZET in Canada.
Negative Factors
BA Franchise Concerns
The pivot to liver diseases is likely raising concerns over Esperion's BA franchise.
Development Risks
The selection of PSC as an initial indication is seen as high risk due to developmental challenges and historical difficulties.
Financial Concerns
Esperion's current cash position is raising concerns about its ability to meet additional priorities and achieve sustained profitability.
Esperion (ESPR) vs. S&P 500 (SPY)
Market Cap
$215.98M
Dividend YieldN/A
Average Volume (3M)5.27M
Price to Earnings (P/E)―
Beta (1Y)2.50
Revenue Growth12.99%
EPS Growth17.78%
CountryUS
Employees304
SectorHealthcare
Sector Strength50
IndustryDrug Manufacturers - Specialty & Generic
Share Statistics
EPS (TTM)-0.21
Shares Outstanding198,149,410
10 Day Avg. Volume4,728,345
30 Day Avg. Volume5,272,867
Financial Highlights & Ratios
PEG RatioN/A
Price to Book (P/B)N/A
Price to Sales (P/S)0.00
Price to Cash Flow (P/CF)0.00
P/FCF Ratio0.00
Enterprise Value/Market Cap4.06
Enterprise Value/RevenueN/A
Enterprise Value/Gross Profit2.64
Enterprise Value/EbitdaN/A
Forecast
1Y Price Target
$6.31Price Target Upside688.75% Upside
Rating ConsensusModerate Buy
Number of Analyst Covering6
Esperion Business Overview & Revenue Model
Company DescriptionEsperion Therapeutics, Inc. is a pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing affordable and convenient oral therapies for the treatment of patients with elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). The company operates primarily within the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors, with its core products being bempedoic acid and the bempedoic acid/ezetimibe combination tablet. These products are aimed at addressing the needs of patients who are unable to achieve desired cholesterol levels through diet and statins alone.
How the Company Makes MoneyEsperion makes money primarily through the sales of its FDA-approved oral therapies, including bempedoic acid and the bempedoic acid/ezetimibe combination tablet, marketed under the brand names NEXLETOL and NEXLIZET. The company's revenue model is centered around the commercial distribution of these cholesterol-lowering medications to healthcare providers, pharmacies, and directly to patients. Esperion's earnings are also bolstered by strategic partnerships and licensing agreements that expand the reach and distribution of its products in international markets. Additionally, the company may earn milestone and royalty payments through collaborations with other pharmaceutical companies.
Esperion Financial Statement Overview
Summary
Esperion demonstrates strong revenue growth but faces challenges with profitability and financial stability. The company has negative net income and high debt levels, with a reliance on debt financing. Cash flows are improving but remain negative, indicating ongoing financial risks.Income Statement
Esperion's revenue increased significantly from 2023 to 2024, demonstrating a strong growth trajectory in the income statement. However, the company continues to face challenges with profitability, as evidenced by negative net income, resulting in a negative net profit margin. The gross profit margin remains high, indicating efficient cost management relative to revenue, but negative EBIT and EBITDA margins highlight operational inefficiencies.45
Neutral
Balance Sheet
The balance sheet shows significant financial leverage with a negative stockholders' equity, indicating potential financial instability. The debt-to-equity ratio cannot be calculated due to negative equity, which is a red flag. Total debt is substantial, and the equity ratio is negative, suggesting the company is heavily reliant on debt financing. The negative return on equity further highlights profitability challenges.30
Negative
Cash Flow
Esperion's cash flow statement reveals improving free cash flow, although it remains negative. Operating cash flow is also negative, which raises concerns about the sustainability of operations without external financing. The free cash flow to net income ratio is not favorable due to persistent losses, though the operating cash flow to net income ratio suggests some efficiency in cash management relative to net losses.40
Negative
| Breakdown | ||||
| Dec 2024 | Dec 2023 | Dec 2022 | Dec 2021 | Dec 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income Statement | Total Revenue | |||
| 332.31M | 116.33M | 75.47M | 78.45M | 227.55M | Gross Profit |
| 332.31M | 73.07M | 48.51M | 64.23M | 225.16M | EBIT |
| 54.40M | -155.56M | -179.50M | -226.73M | -121.40M | EBITDA |
| 7.57M | -150.11M | -176.35M | -222.14M | -120.33M | Net Income Common Stockholders |
| -51.74M | -209.25M | -287.82M | -318.82M | -166.19M |
| Balance Sheet | Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments | |||
| 144.76M | 82.25M | 124.78M | 208.89M | 304.96M | Total Assets |
| 343.82M | 205.80M | 247.94M | 381.59M | 353.26M | Total Debt |
| 297.60M | 540.95M | 260.95M | 260.20M | 185.41M | Net Debt |
| 152.84M | 458.70M | 136.17M | 51.30M | -119.55M | Total Liabilities |
| 732.54M | 660.79M | 571.72M | 578.53M | 449.39M | Stockholders Equity |
| -388.72M | -454.99M | -1.34B | -1.11B | -838.82M |
| Cash Flow | Free Cash Flow | |||
| -23.97M | -135.49M | -174.83M | -263.81M | -98.55M | Operating Cash Flow |
| -23.65M | -135.49M | -174.83M | -263.81M | -85.18M | Investing Cash Flow |
| -317.00K | 42.50M | 8.10M | -50.48M | 21.36M | Financing Cash Flow |
| 86.48M | 50.46M | 32.61M | 268.22M | 201.72M |
Esperion Technical Analysis
Negative
0.80
Price Trends
1.28
Negative
1.66
Negative
1.89
Negative
Market Momentum
-0.11
Negative
32.51
Neutral
15.25
Positive
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For ESPR, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 0.8 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 0.95, below the 50-day MA of 1.28, and below the 200-day MA of 1.89, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -0.11 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 32.51 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 15.25 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for ESPR.
Esperion Risk Analysis
Esperion disclosed 60 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Esperion reported the most risks in the “Finance & Corporate” category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks
Esperion Peers Comparison
Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (52)
Financial Indicators
Name | Overall Rating | Market Cap | P/E Ratio | ROE | Dividend Yield | Revenue Growth | EPS Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
58 Neutral | $150.29M | ― | -72.60% | ― | -29.11% | -219.44% | |
53 Neutral | $149.98M | 85.74 | -8.02% | ― | -23.18% | 97.12% | |
52 Neutral | $5.17B | 3.59 | -42.19% | 2.82% | 15.05% | -0.04% | |
49 Neutral | $260.27M | ― | -21.63% | ― | -18.56% | 76.88% | |
49 Neutral | $257.33M | ― | -83.58% | ― | 6.88% | -17.54% | |
45 Neutral | $267.17M | ― | 77.48% | ― | 13.80% | -389.41% | |
36 Underperform | $215.98M | ― | 23.44% | ― | 12.99% | 17.78% |
* Healthcare Sector Average
Performance Comparison
ESPR
Esperion
0.80
-1.39
-63.47%
EBS
Emergent Biosolutions
5.65
1.30
29.89%
IRWD
Ironwood Pharma
0.71
-6.29
-89.86%
LFCR
Lifecore Biomedical
6.97
0.69
10.99%
AQST
Aquestive Therapeutics
2.79
-0.30
-9.71%
DERM
Journey Medical Corp
6.88
3.37
96.01%
Esperion Earnings Call Summary
Earnings Call Date:May 06, 2025
(Q1-2025)
| % Change Since: -23.81%|
Next Earnings Date:Aug 05, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call presented a strong overall performance with significant revenue growth, expanded market access, and key pipeline advancements. However, challenges such as seasonal sales impacts and confusion due to policy changes were acknowledged. The highlights, particularly the revenue growth and guideline inclusion, outweigh the lowlights.Q1-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Significant Revenue Growth
Total revenue for Q1 2025 grew 63% year-over-year to $65 million, after adjusting for a one-time milestone received in Q1 2024. US net product revenue grew 41% year-over-year to $34.9 million.
Expanded Market Access
Field reimbursement support team expanded threefold to 15 payer access specialists, leading to over 30 plans removing prior authorizations and implementing electronic step edits.
Inclusion in ACC-AHA Guidelines
NEXLETOL and NEXLIZET added to the 2025 ACC-AHA Multi Society Guidelines with level 1A and 2A recommendations for patients with acute coronary syndrome.
International Market Growth
Royalty revenue from Daiichi Sankyo Europe increased 8% from Q4 2024 to $10.5 million in Q1 2025. Esperion also entered partnerships with CSL Seqirus in Australia and New Zealand.
Pipeline Advancements
Declaration of lead indication in primary sclerosing cholangitis, targeting a $1 billion market opportunity, reflecting expansion into high-need, high-value indications.
Negative Updates
Seasonal Sales Impact
Q1 product revenue growth in the US was impacted by changes to Medicare Part D and patient deductible requirements, causing lower product revenue as patients fulfill their insurance deductibles.
Collaboration Revenue Decline
Collaboration revenue was $30.1 million, a decrease of approximately 73% compared to Q1 2024, driven by the absence of a one-time settlement agreement milestone with DSE.
Confusion Due to Inflation Reduction Act
Confusion around the Inflation Reduction Act and related adjustments caused added difficulty in the market, impacting prescription growth and consumer understanding.
Company Guidance
During Esperion Therapeutics' first-quarter 2025 earnings call, significant metrics highlighted included a 63% year-over-year total revenue growth to $65 million, excluding a one-time milestone from the previous year. U.S. net product revenue grew 41% year-over-year to $34.9 million, despite a flat lipid market impacted by seasonal Medicare Part D changes and higher patient out-of-pocket costs. The company expanded its field reimbursement support team threefold to enhance physician education on favorable reimbursement landscapes. Esperion's bempedoic acid products, NEXLETOL and NEXLIZET, received notable inclusion in the 2025 ACC-AHA Multi Society Guidelines, providing strong guidance for statin-intolerant patients. Early Q2 2025 trends show prescription growth tracking approximately 8% higher than Q1. The company is also advancing a triple combination therapy anticipated for commercialization in 2027, aiming to lower LDL cholesterol by over 60%. Internationally, royalty revenue from Daiichi Sankyo Europe increased 8% to $10.5 million, showcasing strong global growth. Financially, Esperion ended the quarter with $114.6 million in cash and reiterated its full-year operating expense guidance of $215 million to $235 million.Esperion Corporate Events
Executive/Board Changes
Esperion Appoints Robert E. Hoffman as New Director
Neutral
Apr 1, 2025
On April 1, 2025, Esperion Therapeutics announced the appointment of Robert E. Hoffman as an independent director and Chairperson of the Audit Committee, effective May 29, 2025. This follows the resignation of board members Nicole Vitullo and Antonio M. Gotto, Jr., effective June 1, 2025. Hoffman’s extensive experience in the biopharmaceutical sector is expected to support Esperion’s growth and commercialization efforts, particularly in expanding its pipeline of ACLY inhibitors.
Glossary
OutperformA stock rated as "Outperform" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider this stock a good buying opportunity.
NeutralA stock rated as "Neutral" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly attractive nor unattractive for investment. Investors may consider holding onto the stock, as it is not expected to either significantly outperform or underperform the market.
UnderperformA stock rated as "Underperform" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock may deliver lower returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider selling the stock or avoiding it as an investment.
Disclaimer
This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.