ANN ARBOR—The pharmaceutical firm Esperion Therapeutics Inc. feported a rise in sales of its novel cholesterol-reducing drugs in the second quarter ended June 30 but still posted a loss as efforts to boost the drug's sales continue. The company posted a loss of $43.7 million or $1.67 a share in the quarter, compared to net income of $126.4 million or $4.32 a share a year earlier. The year-earlier profit was the result of one-time milestone payments from pharmaceutical industry partners. U.S. net product revenue was $10.6 million for the second quarter, compared to $600,000 a year earlier. Total revenue was $40.7 million, down from $212.2 million a year earlier, again due to the one-time payments a year earlier. For the six months, the company's loss was $134.6 million, or $5.16 a share, compared to net income of $46.4 million or $1.60 a share in the first six months of 2020. Revenue for the six months was $48.6 million, down from $214.1 million a year earlier, again due to last year's one-time payments.