BEDMINSTER, N.J. and DUBLIN, Ireland, Jan. 31, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Amarin Corporation plc (Nasdaq:AMRN), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the commercialization and development of therapeutics to improve cardiovascular health, announced today that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has published notification of Notices of Allowance for Amarin's U.S. Patent Applications Serial Numbers 13/458,496 and 13/349,157.

The allowed '496 and '157 applications continue to broaden our claimed methods of reducing triglycerides consistent with the FDA approved MARINE indication for Vascepa® capsules through use of a pharmaceutical composition of highly pure icosapent ethyl, or EPA.

A Notice of Allowance is issued after the USPTO makes a determination that a patent can be granted from an application. The issued patents would have terms that expire no earlier than in 2030. After issuance, Amarin plans to list these patents in the FDA's Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations, or Orange Book.

"The issuance of these Notices of Allowance further strengthens Amarin's effort to protect the commercial potential of Vascepa," said Joseph Zakrzewski, Amarin's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Amarin now has 15 patents either issued or allowed that position Vascepa for exclusivity to 2030 and beyond."

Amarin now has 15 U.S. patents either issued or allowed and over 30 additional patent applications currently in prosecution in the United States. Amarin is also pursuing patent applications related to Vascepa in multiple jurisdictions outside the United States, including the application for Amarin's MARINE method of use patent in Europe for which Amarin has announced receipt of an Intention to Grant letter.

About Amarin

Amarin Corporation plc is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the commercialization and development of therapeutics to improve cardiovascular health. Amarin's product development program leverages its extensive experience in lipid science and the potential therapeutic benefits of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Vascepa® (icosapent ethyl), Amarin's first FDA approved product, is a patented, ultra pure omega-3 fatty acid product comprising not less than 96% EPA. For more information about Vascepa visit www.vascepa.com. For more information about Amarin visit www.amarincorp.com.

The Amarin Corporation plc logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=13817

Forward-looking statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements about whether the subject patents would be issued and adequately protect Vascepa against competition, the expiration date of the pending patents, Amarin's plan to list the patents, when issued, in the FDA's Orange Book, Amarin's plan to protect the commercial potential of Vascepa, and the future status of pending patent applications. These forward-looking statements are not promises or guarantees and involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described or projected herein include the following: events that could interfere with the issuance of a patent, or once issued, the continued validity or enforceability of a patent; Amarin's ability generally to maintain adequate patent protection and successfully enforce patent claims against third parties; commercializing Vascepa without violating the intellectual property rights of others; and uncertainties associated generally with research and development, clinical trials and related regulatory approvals. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties and other risks associated with an investment in Amarin can be found in Amarin's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Amarin undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise. 


CONTACT: Stephen D. Schultz

         Senior Director, Investor Relations

         and Corporate Communications

         Amarin Corporation

         In U.S.: +1 (908) 719-1315

         investor.relations@amarincorp.com
Source: Amarin Corporation plc

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