March 30, 2026 — At ACC.26 in New Orleans, Esperion presented two post-hoc analyses from CLEAR Outcomes focused on risk of ischemic stroke and risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with autoimmune or inflammatory diseases. These data were presented as moderated poster presentations.
“These analyses provide important insights into how bempedoic acid performs in high-risk patient populations,” said Luke Laffin, MD, senior author of the CLEAR Outcomes sub analyses and Associate Professor of Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University. “Patients with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases face a significantly elevated cardiovascular burden, and these data reinforce that bempedoic acid delivers meaningful reductions in cardiovascular events in this vulnerable group. In addition, when we examine ischemic stroke patients specifically, this analysis shows a clear and clinically relevant reduction in risk for statin intolerant patients. Together, these findings underscore the value of bempedoic acid as an effective, well tolerated therapy for reducing cardiovascular risk across diverse patient populations.”
“These new analyses from CLEAR Outcomes further strengthen the evidence base supporting NEXLETOL as a proven therapy for cardiovascular risk reduction - especially for patients who cannot tolerate statin therapy,” said Sheldon Koenig, President and Chief Executive Officer of Esperion. “The consistency of benefit observed in high-risk populations, including those with autoimmune or inflammatory diseases, highlights the broad clinical relevance of bempedoic acid. We are proud to continue expanding the data that informs treatment decisions and supports the recent incorporation of bempedoic acid into U.S. dyslipidemia guidelines.”
Key data presented at ACC.26
* Bempedoic acid and incidence of stroke among statin-intolerant patients: an analysis of the CLEAR Outcomes trial presented by Carolina Pires Zingano, MD (Cleveland Clinic)
Highlights:
- In CLEAR Outcomes, 293 patients had a fatal or non-fatal stroke, 268 (90%) of which were ischemic strokes
- Bempedoic acid reduced the risk of ischemic stroke by 22% compared to placebo.
*Bempedoic acid and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with autoimmune or inflammatory diseases: an analysis of the CLEAR Outcomes trial presented by Bernardo Frison Spiazzi, MD (Cleveland Clinic)
Highlights
- Approximately 10% of the 13,970 participants in CLEAR Outcomes had prior autoimmune and inflammatory diseases (AIID) which further increase risk of MACE compared to those without.
- Patients with AIID derived a similar clinical benefit with the use of bempedoic acid as those without AIID.
For more information go to www.esperion.com/
May 06, 2026 
