EXHIBIT 99.1

            SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
         RELATING TO A PERIODIC REPORT CONTAINING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


     I, Roger S. Newton, Chief Executive Officer, of Esperion Therapeutics,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), hereby certify that:

     (1) The Company's periodic report on Form 10-Q for the period ended
September 30, 2002 (the "Form on 10-Q") fully complies with the requirements of
Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

     (2) The information contained in the Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all
material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the
Company.

                                      * * *


  /s/ Roger S. Newton
- ---------------------------
Roger S. Newton,
Chief Executive Officer

Date:    November 14, 2002