Omthera Pharmaceuticals

Omthera Pharmaceuticals was a specialty pharmaceutical company dedicated to developing and commercializing therapies for dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disease. Its flagship product, Epanova (omega-3-carboxylic acids), was developed as a free fatty acid formulation of omega-3 to treat patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia. Founded in 2008, the company successfully transitioned from a private entity to a public one via an IPO in May 2013. Shortly after its market debut, Omthera was acquired by AstraZeneca for approximately $323 million upfront to strengthen AstraZeneca's cardiovascular franchise. The company's research focused on the improved bioavailability of omega-3 fatty acids compared to traditional ethyl ester formulations. Epanova received FDA approval in 2014, providing a new treatment option for patients with significantly elevated triglyceride levels.