UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                   ----------

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

       Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 26, 2002

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                           ESPERION THERAPEUTICS, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


           Delaware                    001-16033                38-3419139
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(State or other jurisdiction          (Commission             (IRS Employer
      of incorporation)               File Number)         Identification No.)


            3621 South State St., 695 KMS Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48108
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               (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (734) 332-0506





Item  5. Other Events.

         On November 26, 2002, the Board of Directors of Esperion Therapeutics,
Inc. ("Esperion") approved an amendment ("Amendment No. 1") to the Rights
Agreement dated April 18, 2002 between Esperion and StockTrans, Inc., as rights
agent (the "Rights Agreement"). Amendment No. 1 revises the definition of
"Acquiring Person" to exclude the Sacane Group (as defined in Amendment No. 1)
unless and until the earlier of such time as the Sacane Group, together with all
Affiliates and Associates, directly or indirectly, becomes the Beneficial Owner
of 25% or more of the Common Shares then outstanding or ceases to hold any of
the Common Shares of which it is the Beneficial Owner without any intention of
changing or influencing control of the Company.

Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

         (c)               Exhibits.

         Exhibit 4.3       Amendment No. 1 to Rights Agreement, dated November
                           26, 2002, between Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. and
                           StockTrans, Inc., as Rights Agent








                                   SIGNATURES

    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                               ESPERION THERAPEUTICS, INC.

                               By: /s/ Roger S. Newton
                                   ---------------------------------------------
                                   Name:   Roger S. Newton, Ph.D
                                   Title:  President and Chief Executive Officer




Dated: November 26, 2002



                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

EXHIBIT NO.                EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION

Exhibit 4.3                Amendment No. 1 to Rights Agreement, dated November
                           26, 2002, between Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. and
                           StockTrans, Inc., as Rights Agent