** Shares of drug developer Esperion Therapeutics ESPR.O gain 1.4% to $3.22 premarket

** Piper Sandler initiates with "overweight" rating, sets PT at $9, among the highest on Wall Street

** Says company's bempedoic acid franchise (Nexletol and Nexlizet) for hypercholesterolemia and cardiovascular disease risk well-positioned for sales expansion

** A broad label, evolving clinical practice guidelines, and wide payer access are supporting factors; risk/reward profile attractive - Piper Sandler

** Brokerage also expects peak U.S. sales to exceed $650 million, complemented by a notable ex-U.S. royalty stream

** Out of 8 analysts that cover stock, six rate "strong buy" or "buy", one rates "hold" and one "sell" - data compiled by LSEG

** ESPR stock up about 44% YTD, till last close

(Reporting by Anastasiia Kozlova)

((Anastasiia.Kozlova@thomsonreuters.com))