Esperion Therapeutics Names Mark E. McGovern, M.D., FACC, FACP, Director

Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ESPR), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing first-in-class, oral, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering therapies for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, today announced the appointment of Mark E. McGovern, M.D., FACC, FACP, as a Director. Dr. McGovern will serve as a Class I director with a term of office expiring at the 2014 annual meeting of stockholders.

Dr. McGovern is a board-certified cardiologist with over 20 years of experience developing lipid regulating therapies. His experience includes 11 years at Bristol-Myers Squibb, where Dr. McGovern was responsible for the clinical development of pravastatin (Pravachol®), in particular the programs for atherosclerosis regression and coronary heart disease prevention, including the WOSCOPS (West of Scotland Coronary Prevention Study), CARE (Cholesterol and Recurrent Events), and LIPID (Long-Term Intervention with Pravastatin in Ischaemic Disease) trials. He subsequently spent 10 years at Kos Pharmaceuticals, where he last served as executive vice president, medical affairs, and chief medical officer. During his career at Kos, Dr. McGovern oversaw the phase IV trials of extended-release niacin (Niaspan®), and the registration programs for the first combination lipid therapies, niacin extended-release/lovastatin (Advicor®) and niacin extended release/simvastatin (Simcor®). Dr. McGovern currently serves as a consultant to the pharmaceutical industry for cardiovascular and atherosclerosis drug development. He earned his bachelor’s degree summa cum laude from Princeton University and his medical degree from the University of Vermont. Dr. McGovern is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and the American College of Physicians. He has published extensively on lipid management and its role in the treatment of coronary heart disease.

"Dr. McGovern has an extensive background in clinical development and a successful track record in the development and regulatory approval of lipid regulating therapies,” said Tim Mayleben, president and chief executive officer. “He brings an extensive depth and breadth of experience to Esperion and we look forward to leveraging his experience in the advancement of ETC-1002.”

"I am excited to join the Esperion Board," said Dr. McGovern. “Esperion’s ETC-1002 product candidate is an innovative compound with a unique mechanism of action. It has the potential to be a significant new advance and therapeutic option for lowering LDL-C, fitting in precisely with our current understanding of lipid management and the new guidelines for treating patients at risk. I look forward to contributing to the company's continued success in their development of ETC- 1002, and the search for additional therapeutic candidates to treat cardiometabolic disease."

About Esperion Therapeutics

Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing first-in-class, oral, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering therapies for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and other cardiometabolic risk markers. ETC-1002, Esperion's lead product candidate, is a unique, first-in-class, orally available, once-daily small molecule therapy designed to lower levels of LDL-C and to avoid side effects associated with existing LDL-C lowering therapies. ETC-1002 is targeted for statin intolerant patients with elevated levels of LDL-C. Esperion has completed seven clinical studies to date, including four Phase 2a studies, and has initiated a robust Phase 2b clinical program. For more information, please visit www.esperion.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the federal securities laws, including, without limitation, statements regarding the development and therapeutic potential of ETC-1002. Any statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause Esperion's actual results to differ significantly from those projected, including, without limitation, the risk that unanticipated developments could interfere with the development (and commercialization) of ETC-1002, as well as other risks detailed in Esperion's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 6, 2013. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. Esperion disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this press release, other than to the extent required by law.