LifeSci Advisors Publishes Recent Physician Survey on Questcor's Acthar Gel

NEW YORK, Oct. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- LifeSci Advisors, LLC, a leading provider of investment research and investor relations services in the life sciences sector, today announced that it has published an independent survey of 976 nephrologists and 691 neurologists who belong to our proprietary Expert Network. The results of this survey can be downloaded at no cost http://lifesciadvisors.com/marketresearch/. The results of the study suggest that the use of Acthar Gel will not be strongly affected by Aetna's decision and that, in fact, these physicians intend to increase their use of the product in the coming year.

The survey revealed that Acthar Gel treatment is generally well-tolerated, is a necessary, last-resort option for patients who have exhausted other treatments, and that reimbursement is easier for patients with no other options, including MS patients who relapse but can't tolerate IV or high-dose oral steroids, and diabetics with MS that are not controlled with IV steroids. One physician praised the drug for reducing proteinuria in a resistant patient, and it can be beneficial in this setting for patients with no other options. Our survey results indicate that Acthar Gel fills an important unmet medical need for patients that are refractory to other therapies and that the recent coverage decision by Aetna will not change physicians' decisions to prescribe the drug.

The LifeSci Advisors research team is led by Dr. Andrew I. McDonald, an industry veteran with more than 15 years of healthcare industry experience.  Prior to co-founding LSA, Dr. McDonald was the Senior Biotechnology Analyst at Great Point Partners, a leading health care investment firm with over $500 million under management.  Before Great Point, he was Co-Head of Healthcare Research and Lead Biotechnology Analyst at ThinkEquity Partners, a boutique investment banking firm focused on growth companies.  Dr. McDonald holds a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of California, Irvine, and, earlier in his career, worked as a medicinal chemist at both Pfizer and Cytokinetics.

About LifeSci Advisors:

LifeSci Advisors (LSA) is a leading research firm and communications consultancy dedicated to the life sciences industry. The firm provides strategic counsel, customized marketing communications, comprehensive research reports and investor relations services to companies that specialize in the discovery, development and commercialization of drugs, drug delivery systems, medical devices and diagnostics.  To learn more about LSA, visit the company's website, www.lifesciadvisors.com.

Important Disclosures:

The research report described in this press release is not intended as an offering, recommendation, or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities.  The securities discussed in LSA research reports may be unsuitable for some investors depending on their specific investment objectives, financial status, risk profile, or particular needs. Investors should consider LSA reports as only a single source of information in making their investment decisions and should not rely solely on these reports in evaluating whether or not to buy or sell the securities of the subject company.  LifeSci Advisors has not been compensated by the companies, including Aegerion Pharmaceuticals and Isis Pharmaceuticals, that are the subject of the report described. Please read each report's full disclosures and analyst background on the LSA website, www.lifesciadvisors.com, before investing. LifeSci Advisors is not a registered investment adviser or broker-dealer.

Forward-looking statements:

This press release contains forward-looking statements subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These forward-looking statements represent LSA's judgment as of the date of this release. LifeSci Advisors disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

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SOURCE LifeSci Advisors, LLC