Using Purified Fish Oil Derivatives to Lower Triglycerides Alongside Statins

A medical treatment method using a specific high-dose, purified EPA supplement to lower triglycerides in patients already taking statin medication.

What it covers

This patent describes a method for treating patients who are already taking statins but still have elevated triglyceride levels between 200 and 500 mg/dl. The treatment involves a daily 4-gram dose of ethyl-EPA, a highly purified form of an omega-3 fatty acid. Crucially, the composition must contain no more than 4% DHA, another common omega-3, to ensure the specific therapeutic effect. By administering this for at least four weeks, the method aims to reduce triglycerides by at least 15% while also lowering LDL-C (bad cholesterol) and VLDL-C levels compared to patients taking statins alone.

What it doesn't cover

• —Does not cover compositions containing more than 4% DHA by weight of total fatty acids.
• —Does not cover treatments for patients with triglyceride levels below 200 mg/dl or above 500 mg/dl.
• —Does not cover the use of standard, non-purified fish oil supplements that include high levels of DHA.
• —Does not cover methods involving non-oral administration routes.

The clever bit

The innovation lies in the extreme purification of EPA and the strict exclusion of DHA. Previous omega-3 supplements were often mixtures; this patent proved that removing DHA was essential to prevent the unwanted rise in LDL cholesterol that often occurs when taking conventional fish oil supplements.

Why it matters

This patent is the foundation for the drug Vascepa, which became a significant commercial product for Amarin. It addressed a major clinical gap: many patients on statins still faced cardiovascular risks due to high triglycerides, and this provided a targeted, evidence-based way to manage those levels without the side effects or cholesterol-raising properties associated with some other omega-3 formulations that contain high levels of DHA.

Real-world examples

• 1.Vascepa (icosapent ethyl)