Needham Downgrades Esperion to Hold After $3.16 Acquisition Announcement
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 04 2026
0mins
Needham downgraded Esperion to Hold from Buy after the company announced it will be acquired by Archimed for $3.16 per share and a $100M contingent value right.
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Analyst Views on ESPR
Wall Street analysts forecast ESPR stock price to rise
5 Analyst Rating
4 Buy
0 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 3.130
Low
1.72
Averages
7.94
High
16.00
Current: 3.130
Low
1.72
Averages
7.94
High
16.00
About ESPR
Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and delivering cardiometabolic and rare/orphan disease therapies. It markets two oral, once-daily, non-statin therapies for patients struggling to maintain their low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels who are at risk of cardiovascular disease and nasal spray, loop diuretic for the treatment of edema associated with congestive heart failure, and hepatic and renal disease. Its products include NEXLETOL, NEXLIZET, NILEMDO and NUSTENDI. NEXLETOL is a first-in-class ACLY inhibitor that lowers LDL-C and cardiovascular risk by reducing cholesterol biosynthesis and up-regulating LDL receptors. NEXLIZET contains bempedoic acid and ezetimibe and lowers elevated LDL-C through complementary mechanisms of action by inhibiting cholesterol synthesis in the liver and cholesterol absorption in the intestine. Its Enbumyst is the FDA-approved nasal spray loop diuretic.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Esperion Grants 260,000 Restricted Stock Units to New Employees
- Employee Incentive Program: On May 12, 2026, Esperion granted 260,000 restricted stock units (RSUs) to 23 new employees, aimed at attracting top talent who were not previously employed, thereby enhancing team strength and driving company growth.
- Stock Unit Vesting Structure: Each RSU will vest 25% on the one-year anniversary of the grant, with the remaining 75% vesting in twelve equal quarterly installments, designed to incentivize long-term employee retention and alignment with company goals.
- Market Positioning and Product Line: Esperion focuses on developing innovative therapies for cardiometabolic and rare diseases, currently marketing two oral non-statin therapies approved in over 40 countries, addressing patients' needs for managing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C).
- Future Growth Potential: The company is advancing its research in ACLY biology to build a diversified pipeline of novel candidates, including treatments for Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis and renal diseases, indicating strong long-term growth prospects in the biopharmaceutical sector.
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- Esperion Transaction: Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ESPR) is being sold to funds managed by ARCHIMED for $3.16 per share in cash, along with rights to contingent milestone payments, which may affect shareholder returns, prompting shareholders to understand their legal rights.
- Merger Details: Corebridge Financial, Inc. (NYSE: CRBG) is merging with Equitable Holdings, Inc., with Corebridge shareholders expected to own approximately 51% of the combined entity, highlighting the need for shareholders to assess the implications of the merger terms on their interests.
- Legal Advocacy: Halper Sadeh LLC represents investors globally, seeking increased consideration and additional disclosures for affected shareholders, emphasizing the firm's commitment to protecting shareholder interests and pursuing corporate accountability.
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Esperion Therapeutics to Announce Q1 Earnings on May 7
- Earnings Announcement: Esperion Therapeutics is set to release its Q1 earnings on May 7, with consensus EPS estimated at -$0.03 and revenue expected at $84.52 million, reflecting a 30.1% year-over-year growth, which could significantly impact the company's market performance.
- Performance Beat: Over the past year, Esperion has exceeded EPS estimates 75% of the time and revenue estimates 100% of the time, indicating a strong track record of financial performance that may bolster investor confidence moving forward.
- Estimate Revision Trends: In the last three months, EPS estimates have seen one upward revision and two downward adjustments, while revenue estimates have faced four downward revisions with no upward changes, suggesting a cautious market outlook that could affect stock price volatility.
- Acquisition Impact: Esperion's stock recently surged following a $1.1 billion acquisition of ARCHIMED, which may provide new growth opportunities and further solidify its market position in the biopharmaceutical sector.
See More
Investigations into Multiple Biotech Company Mergers
- Esperion Acquisition Investigation: Esperion Therapeutics is set to be acquired by ARCHIMED for $3.16 per share in cash, with potential contingent milestone payments of up to $100 million, raising concerns about whether the board breached fiduciary duties by failing to ensure fair pricing for shareholders.
- Sila Realty Acquisition Scrutiny: Sila Realty Trust will be acquired by Blue Owl Capital for $30.38 per share in an all-cash deal valued at approximately $2.4 billion, with investigations questioning whether the board adequately protected shareholder interests during the transaction process, potentially affecting fair value.
- Lisata Therapeutics Merger Investigation: Lisata Therapeutics is being acquired by Kuva Labs for $4.00 per share in cash, along with two non-tradeable rights, prompting investigations into whether the board conducted a fair process, which could impact shareholder benefits.
- SkyWater Technology Acquisition Review: SkyWater is to be acquired by IonQ for $35.00 per share in a cash-and-stock deal valued at around $1.8 billion, with investigations focusing on whether the board fulfilled its fiduciary duties, particularly as the deal price is below the company's 52-week high of $36.27.
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Monteverde Law Firm Investigates Merger Cases
- Merger Investigation: Monteverde & Associates is investigating Pacific Financial Corporation's merger with Banner Corporation, where shareholders are expected to receive 0.2633 shares of Banner common stock for each share of Pacific Financial, potentially impacting shareholder returns.
- Cash Acquisition Proposal: Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. shareholders are expected to receive $3.16 per share in cash from the sale to ARCHIMED-managed funds, along with rights to contingent milestone payments, providing additional revenue opportunities for shareholders.
- Lakeside Bank Acquisition: Lakeside Bancshares, Inc. shareholders are anticipated to receive $19.58 in cash per share from the sale to Catalyst Bancorp, Inc., which will directly affect shareholder cash flow and investment returns.
- McCormick Merger: The merger between McCormick & Company and Unilever’s Foods business will result in McCormick shareholders owning approximately 35% of the combined entity, significantly influencing the long-term investment value for shareholders.
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ESPERION THERAPEUTICS INC: NEEDHAM DOWNS RATING TO HOLD FROM BUY
Therapeutics in Needham: The article discusses the current state of therapeutics in Needham, highlighting the importance of maintaining quality and accessibility in healthcare.
Cuts to Hold from Buy: It mentions potential cuts in funding or resources that could impact the ability to provide necessary therapeutic services, urging stakeholders to reconsider their strategies.
See More
Esperion Grants 260,000 Restricted Stock Units to New Employees
- Employee Incentive Program: On May 12, 2026, Esperion granted 260,000 restricted stock units (RSUs) to 23 new employees, aimed at attracting top talent who were not previously employed, thereby enhancing team strength and driving company growth.
- Stock Unit Vesting Structure: Each RSU will vest 25% on the one-year anniversary of the grant, with the remaining 75% vesting in twelve equal quarterly installments, designed to incentivize long-term employee retention and alignment with company goals.
- Market Positioning and Product Line: Esperion focuses on developing innovative therapies for cardiometabolic and rare diseases, currently marketing two oral non-statin therapies approved in over 40 countries, addressing patients' needs for managing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C).
- Future Growth Potential: The company is advancing its research in ACLY biology to build a diversified pipeline of novel candidates, including treatments for Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis and renal diseases, indicating strong long-term growth prospects in the biopharmaceutical sector.
See More
Investor Rights Law Firm Investigates Multiple Companies
- Investigation Focus: Halper Sadeh LLC is investigating Sila Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: SILA) for its sale to Blue Owl Real Estate Capital LLC at $30.38 per share, raising concerns about potential shareholder rights violations and urging shareholders to explore their options.
- Esperion Transaction: Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ESPR) is being sold to funds managed by ARCHIMED for $3.16 per share in cash, along with rights to contingent milestone payments, which may affect shareholder returns, prompting shareholders to understand their legal rights.
- Merger Details: Corebridge Financial, Inc. (NYSE: CRBG) is merging with Equitable Holdings, Inc., with Corebridge shareholders expected to own approximately 51% of the combined entity, highlighting the need for shareholders to assess the implications of the merger terms on their interests.
- Legal Advocacy: Halper Sadeh LLC represents investors globally, seeking increased consideration and additional disclosures for affected shareholders, emphasizing the firm's commitment to protecting shareholder interests and pursuing corporate accountability.
See More
Esperion Therapeutics to Announce Q1 Earnings on May 7
- Earnings Announcement: Esperion Therapeutics is set to release its Q1 earnings on May 7, with consensus EPS estimated at -$0.03 and revenue expected at $84.52 million, reflecting a 30.1% year-over-year growth, which could significantly impact the company's market performance.
- Performance Beat: Over the past year, Esperion has exceeded EPS estimates 75% of the time and revenue estimates 100% of the time, indicating a strong track record of financial performance that may bolster investor confidence moving forward.
- Estimate Revision Trends: In the last three months, EPS estimates have seen one upward revision and two downward adjustments, while revenue estimates have faced four downward revisions with no upward changes, suggesting a cautious market outlook that could affect stock price volatility.
- Acquisition Impact: Esperion's stock recently surged following a $1.1 billion acquisition of ARCHIMED, which may provide new growth opportunities and further solidify its market position in the biopharmaceutical sector.
See More
Investigations into Multiple Biotech Company Mergers
- Esperion Acquisition Investigation: Esperion Therapeutics is set to be acquired by ARCHIMED for $3.16 per share in cash, with potential contingent milestone payments of up to $100 million, raising concerns about whether the board breached fiduciary duties by failing to ensure fair pricing for shareholders.
- Sila Realty Acquisition Scrutiny: Sila Realty Trust will be acquired by Blue Owl Capital for $30.38 per share in an all-cash deal valued at approximately $2.4 billion, with investigations questioning whether the board adequately protected shareholder interests during the transaction process, potentially affecting fair value.
- Lisata Therapeutics Merger Investigation: Lisata Therapeutics is being acquired by Kuva Labs for $4.00 per share in cash, along with two non-tradeable rights, prompting investigations into whether the board conducted a fair process, which could impact shareholder benefits.
- SkyWater Technology Acquisition Review: SkyWater is to be acquired by IonQ for $35.00 per share in a cash-and-stock deal valued at around $1.8 billion, with investigations focusing on whether the board fulfilled its fiduciary duties, particularly as the deal price is below the company's 52-week high of $36.27.
See More
Monteverde Law Firm Investigates Merger Cases
- Merger Investigation: Monteverde & Associates is investigating Pacific Financial Corporation's merger with Banner Corporation, where shareholders are expected to receive 0.2633 shares of Banner common stock for each share of Pacific Financial, potentially impacting shareholder returns.
- Cash Acquisition Proposal: Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. shareholders are expected to receive $3.16 per share in cash from the sale to ARCHIMED-managed funds, along with rights to contingent milestone payments, providing additional revenue opportunities for shareholders.
- Lakeside Bank Acquisition: Lakeside Bancshares, Inc. shareholders are anticipated to receive $19.58 in cash per share from the sale to Catalyst Bancorp, Inc., which will directly affect shareholder cash flow and investment returns.
- McCormick Merger: The merger between McCormick & Company and Unilever’s Foods business will result in McCormick shareholders owning approximately 35% of the combined entity, significantly influencing the long-term investment value for shareholders.
See More
ESPERION THERAPEUTICS INC: NEEDHAM DOWNS RATING TO HOLD FROM BUY
Therapeutics in Needham: The article discusses the current state of therapeutics in Needham, highlighting the importance of maintaining quality and accessibility in healthcare.
Cuts to Hold from Buy: It mentions potential cuts in funding or resources that could impact the ability to provide necessary therapeutic services, urging stakeholders to reconsider their strategies.
See More
