Analysis Demonstrates Cost-Effectiveness Of Managing Low-Density Lipoprotein Particle Number To Reduce Cardiovascular Disease Risk

RALEIGH, N.C., June 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- LipoScience, Inc. (NASDAQ: LPDX), a diagnostic company pioneering a new field of personalized nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) diagnostics to advance the quality of patient care in cardiovascular, metabolic and other diseases, today announced the online publication of data in the Journal of Clinical Lipidology demonstrating the economic benefits of managing to a low-density lipoprotein particle (LDL-P) number measured by NMR as part of a cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk-reduction strategy.

The study, "Managing to Low-Density Lipoprotein Particles Compared to Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol: A Cost-Effective Analysis," is the first of several anticipated publications to establish the economic value proposition for LDL-P.  This study models the economic benefits of managing to both LDL-P and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) targets, in comparison to managing LDL-C alone, to help reduce cardiovascular events and associated costs.  The analysis was modeled over a three-year period and is based on published clinical data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), a community-based population study. The cost-effectiveness of managing to both LDL-P and LDL-C targets was demonstrated in the first year of additional lipoprotein testing, and this became a significant cost savings to the healthcare system by year three for individuals managed to both LDL-P and LDL-C treatment goals. In addition, management of LDL-P, whether alone or in combination with LDL-C management, was associated with lower incidences of heart attacks and strokes — benefits that can also result in improved productivity and more time at work.  

"This economic analysis shows that managing to an LDL-P goal can help lower the direct and indirect costs associated with cardiovascular events resulting from high LDL-P in the presence of normal LDL-C levels," said John A. Rizzo, Ph.D., Professor of Economics and Preventive Medicine at Stony Brook University, and lead author of the study. "Managing LDL-P does require a modest increase in costs through the use of additional diagnostic testing and medications, but these costs are offset by the prevention of cardiovascular events. From a payer perspective, managing to an LDL-P goal appears to be cost-effective."

The current standard of care to assess CVD risk is by measurement of LDL-C. However, despite therapeutic strategies to lower LDL-C to meet goals recommended in current clinical guidelines, studies show that for a large number of patients, CVD continues to progress and cardiovascular events continue to occur. Mounting evidence supports the need to measure and manage LDL-P in patient populations at intermediate and high cardiovascular risk levels — including patients with established coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

"The clinical value of managing LDL-P is already supported by the literature, and now there is further proof of its economic value," said Gregory Pokrywka, M.D., FACP, FNLA, NCMP, Director of the Baltimore Lipid Center and co-author of the study.  "While delivery of high-quality preventive care has become increasingly important in today's healthcare environment, there is also consistent emphasis on cost-effective management of established chronic disease."

Testing for LDL-P, derived by NMR technology, is reimbursed by Medicare, Medicaid and numerous commercial payers. This simple blood test was cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in July 2008, and can help clinicians individualize the management of patients with established cardiovascular risk, which may lead to fewer cardiovascular events and significant cost savings for payers and employers alike.

About LipoScience, Inc.

LipoScience, Inc. is pioneering a new field of personalized diagnostics based on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technology. The company's first proprietary diagnostic test, the NMR LipoProfile^® test, measures the number of low-density lipoprotein particles (LDL-P) in a blood sample and provides physicians and their patients with actionable information to personalize management of risk for heart disease. To date, over 9 million NMR LipoProfile tests have been ordered. LipoScience's automated clinical analyzer, Vantera^®, has been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It requires no previous knowledge of NMR technology to operate and has been designed to dramatically simplify complex technology through ease of use and walk-away automation. The Vantera Clinical Analyzer will be placed with national and regional clinical laboratories.

LipoScience is driving NMR diagnostics toward becoming a clinical standard of care by decentralizing its technology and expanding its menu of personalized diagnostic tests to address a broad range of cardiovascular, metabolic and other diseases. For further information on LipoScience, please visit www.liposcience.com and www.theparticletest.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements related to the Company's plans, objectives, expectations (financial and otherwise) or intentions. These forward-looking statements include statements about the Company's plans for potential future diagnostic tests. Actual results may differ significantly from those projected or suggested in any forward-looking statements.  Further information on potential factors and other risks that could affect the Company's business and operating results is included in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 and other filings the Company makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.  These documents are available on the SEC Filings section of the Investor Relations page of the Company's website at http://investor.liposcience.com/. The statements made herein are based on information available to LipoScience as of the date of this press release, and the Company assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

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