Galectin Therapeutics Presented Research With GR-MD-02 at the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases Industry C...
March 24 2015 - 8:00AM
Galectin Therapeutics (Nasdaq:GALT), the leading developer of
therapeutics that target galectin proteins to treat fibrosis and
cancer, announces that Peter G. Traber, M.D., president, chief
executive officer and chief medical officer, delivered an invited
presentation of the Company's research with lead compound GR-MD-02
in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) at the American Association
for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) Industry Colloquium. The
Industry Colloquium: Novel Targets and Therapies in Liver was held
at the Hilton Durham Research Triangle Park in North Carolina.
Dr. Traber participated in the session entitled "NASH: Clinical
Endpoints and Drug Development" on March 21. He discussed the role
of galectin-3 in organ fibrosis generally and liver fibrosis in
particular, and GR-MD-02 as a galectin-3 inhibitor. He
reviewed the published preclinical data which show that GR-MD-02 is
effective in reversing inflammation and fibrosis in a mouse model
of NASH and also in reversing cirrhosis and improving portal
hypertension in a rat model of cirrhosis. He also reviewed the data
that GR-MD-02 reduces galectin-3 expression in preclinical disease
models and, following an intravenous dose, over 90% of GR-MD-02 is
taken up by the liver and is found predominantly in macrophages,
the major target of its action. Finally, he reviewed the
Company's Phase 1 study results and its Phase 2 clinical program
design. The abstract of Dr. Traber's presentation has been posted
to the Company's website.
"I'm honored that I was invited to present at this prestigious
colloquium," said Dr. Traber. "I am pleased that the medical
community and industry are mobilizing to address the needs of a
growing number of patients who develop NASH, and subsequently
progress to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis."
About AASLD
AASLD is the leading organization of scientists and health care
professionals committed to preventing and curing liver disease.
AASLD was founded in 1950 by a small group of leading liver
specialists (including Hans Popper, Leon Schiff, Fred Hoffbauer,
Cecil Watson, Jesse Bollman, and Sheila Sherlock, to name a few) to
bring together those who had contributed to the field of
hepatology. AASLD has grown to an international society responsible
for all aspects of hepatology, and its annual meeting, The Liver
Meeting®, has grown in attendance from 12 to more than 9,500
physicians, surgeons, researchers and allied health professionals
from around the world. More information is at
http://www.aasld.org/about-aasld#sthash.fI9KDk6f.dpuf.
About GR-MD-02
GR-MD-02 is a complex carbohydrate drug that targets galectin-3,
a critical protein in the pathogenesis of fatty liver disease and
fibrosis. Galectin-3 plays a major role in diseases that involve
scaring of organs including fibrotic disorders of the liver, lung,
kidney, heart and vascular system. The drug binds to galectin
proteins and disrupts their function. Preclinical data in animals
have shown that GR-MD-02 has robust treatment effects in reversing
liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.
About Fatty Liver Disease with Advanced Fibrosis and
Cirrhosis
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), also known as fatty liver
disease, has become a common disease of the liver with the rise in
obesity rates. NASH is estimated to affect up to 28 million
people in the U.S. Fatty liver disease is characterized by the
presence of fat in the liver along with inflammation and damage in
people who consume little or no alcohol. Over time, patients with
fatty liver disease can develop fibrosis, or scarring of the liver,
and it is estimated that as many as 1-2 million individuals in the
U.S. will develop cirrhosis, a severe liver disease for which liver
transplantation is the only treatment available. Approximately
6,300 liver transplants are performed annually in the U.S. There
are no drug therapies approved for the treatment of liver
fibrosis.
About Galectin Therapeutics
Galectin Therapeutics is developing promising carbohydrate-based
therapies for the treatment of fibrotic liver disease and cancer
based on the Company's unique understanding of galectin proteins,
which are key mediators of biologic function. Galectin seeks to
leverage extensive scientific and development expertise as well as
established relationships with external sources to achieve
cost-effective and efficient development. The Company is pursuing a
development pathway to clinical enhancement and commercialization
for its lead compounds in liver fibrosis and cancer. Additional
information is available at www.galectintherapeutics.com.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. These statements relate to future events or future financial
performance, and use words such as "may," "estimate," "could,"
"expect" and others. They are based on management's current
expectations and are subject to factors and uncertainties that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those
described in the statements. These statements include those
regarding the hope that Galectin's development program for GR-MD-02
will lead to the first therapy for the treatment of fatty liver
disease with cirrhosis. Factors that could cause actual performance
to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking
statements include, among others, that Galectin may not be
successful in developing effective treatments and/or obtaining the
requisite approvals for the use of GR-MD-02 or any of its other
drugs in development. The Company's current clinical trial and any
future clinical studies may not produce positive results in a
timely fashion, if at all, and could prove time consuming and
costly. Plans regarding development, approval and marketing of any
of Galectin's drugs are subject to change at any time based on the
changing needs of the Company as determined by management and
regulatory agencies. There is no certainty that FDA and Company
will agree on a SPA or that a SPA would ultimately be acceptable to
FDA nor result in approval of GR-MD-02. Regardless of the results
of any of its development programs, Galectin may be unsuccessful in
developing partnerships with other companies or raising additional
capital that would allow it to further develop and/or fund any
studies or trials. Galectin has incurred operating losses
since inception, and its ability to successfully develop and market
drugs may be impacted by its ability to manage costs and finance
continuing operations. For a discussion of additional factors
impacting Galectin's business, see the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, and subsequent
filings with the SEC. You should not place undue reliance on
forward-looking statements. Although subsequent events may cause
its views to change, management disclaims any obligation to update
forward-looking statements.
CONTACT: Galectin Therapeutics Inc.
Peter G. Traber, M.D.
President, CEO & CMO
(678) 620-3186
ir@galectintherapeutics.com
LHA
Kim Golodetz
(212) 838-3777
kgolodetz@lhai.com
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