# 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.

- **Patent:** US 8710041
- **Original title:** Compositions and methods for lowering triglycerides in a subject on concomitant statin therapy
- **Owner:** Amarin Pharmaceuticals Ireland Ltd
- **Granted:** 2014
- **Status:** Active
- **Times cited:** 13
- **Field:** pharmaceutical, biotech

## What it does

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 does NOT 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.

## Real-world examples

1. Vascepa (icosapent ethyl)

## 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.

## Frequently asked questions

### What does Using Purified Fish Oil Derivatives to Lower Triglycerides Alongside Statins cover?

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

### Who owns patent US 8710041?

Amarin Pharmaceuticals Ireland Ltd owns this patent, granted in 2014.

### When does this patent expire?

This patent is expected to expire on April 29, 2034, when the invention enters the public domain.

### What is patent US 8710041 cited by?

This patent has been cited by 13 later patents that build on its ideas.

### What problem does this patent solve?

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.

### What does this patent NOT cover?

Does not cover compositions containing more than 4% DHA by weight of total fatty acids.

**Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8710041/imbruvica-ibrutinib-formulation

**Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US8710041

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_Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._