Omthera Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Omthera Pharmaceuticals is betting that its so-called "free" fatty acid form of omega-3 will prove superior to other companies' ethyl esther versions at reducing blood triglyceride levels. An ethyl ester is a free fatty acid with an ethanol bond on it; that bond is broken in the intestines by pancreatic lipase, an enzyme specialized in breaking down fat. In Omthera's version of omega-3 fatty acid, that bond is broken already. The company thinks the difference will allow the free form to more effectively reduce TGL levels.