Trading Of Common Stock Of Aegerion Pharmaceuticals Halted Today

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Oct. 17, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aegerion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:AEGR), an emerging biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel therapeutics to treat debilitating and often fatal rare diseases, announced that NASDAQ has halted trading of the company's common stock today. The Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee (EMDAC) of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is meeting today to discuss the company's New Drug Application (NDA) for lomitapide.

Aegerion is seeking FDA marketing approval of lomitapide as an adjunct to a low-fat diet and other lipid-lowering therapies to reduce cholesterol in adult patients with Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia (HoFH). The FDA has assigned a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) action date of December 29, 2012 for completion of its review of the NDA for lomitapide.    

Conference Call Details

The Aegerion management team will hold a conference call to discuss the outcome of the EMDAC meeting today at 7:00 pm EDT. To listen to the live conference call, dial [phone] (International callers dial [phone]). In addition, the conference call will be available through a live audio webcast in the " Investors" section of the Aegerion website, www.aegerion.com .  The conference call will be archived and accessible on the same website shortly after the conclusion of the call.

About Aegerion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Aegerion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is an emerging biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel, life-altering therapeutics to treat debilitating and often fatal rare diseases. The company's lead drug candidate, lomitapide, is in late-stage development for the treatment of Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia (HoFH), a rare life-threatening disease characterized by severely elevated cholesterol levels.  

Aegerion is motivated by its commitment to patients first, as well as its core values of integrity, innovation, responsibility to healthcare providers and development of employees, with a constant focus on scientific and clinical excellence. For more information, visit www.aegerion.com .

CONTACT: Aegerion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
         Michael Lawless, VP, IR
         [phone]