=Esperion Therapeutics (ESPR) reported earnings on Tue 4 May 21 (a/h)

• Reported downside Q1 EPS and revs. US product revs were $6.4 mln; growing demand was offset by lower net price. Prescriptions grew +46% sequentially. Downgraded to Hold at Stifel. At four-year lows. 

Esperion Therapeutics misses by $1.28, misses on revs 

Reports Q1 (Mar) loss of $3.50 per share, $1.28 worse than the S&P Capital IQ Consensus of ($2.22); revenues rose 344.4% year/year to $8 mln vs the $34.28 mln S&P Capital IQ Consensus.

• Research and development expenses were $28.0 million for the first quarter of 2021, compared to $34.7 million for the comparable period in 2020. The decrease in expense during the first quarter was primarily attributable to a decline in manufacturing costs which were previously classified as research and development expense prior to FDA approval of NEXLETOL and NEXLIZET in the first quarter of 2020.

Research and development expenses for the full year 2021 are expected to be $120 million to $130 million. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the full year 2021 are expected to be $200 million to $210 million.

ESPERION continues to expect full-year 2021 operating expenses to be approximately $320 million to $340 million, inclusive of $30 million of non-cash, stock-based compensation.