"Taken together, the present and previously disclosed data suggest that CaPre?„? may be an effective alternative for the management of cardiometabolic disorders due to its therapeutic versatility and multiple applications including also a superiority over Lovaza?® on Omegas-3 Index and impaired glucose tolerance. This difference in activity is likely to be explained by the fact that phospholipids functionalize the omega-3 (EPA and DHA) contained in CaPre?„? versus omega-3-acid ethyl ester in Lovaza?®," said Pierre Lemieux, Ph.D., COO of Acasti. "According to market research firm IMS Health, global sales of Lovaza?® topped $1 billion in 2009, with $758 million of those sales originating in the U.S. Moreover, in 2007, GlaxoSmithKline PLC (LSE/NYSE:GSK) acquired the USA rights to Lovaza?® by its acquisition of Reliant Pharmaceuticals Inc. for $1.65 billion, which is an indicator of the potential value of CaPre?„?," he added.

"To be able to benchmark against a formulation such as Lovaza?®, being the only FDA approved "prescription omega-3 fish oil" solely indicated for the treatment of severe hypertriglyceridemia (very high triglycerides >500mg/dl) along with a healthy diet that has now reached over 1B$ in sales, is encouraging. We believe that CaPre?„? is in a much better position to improve the compliance of patients and help the treating physician. This latest benchmarking program gives us a great deal of confidence regarding the upcoming phase II clinical trial for which we recently submitted a Clinical Trial Application in Canada," said Dr. Tina Sampalis, President of Acasti.

Source: Neptune Technologies & Bioressources Inc.