Report of Foreign Issuer (6-k)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 6-K

Report of Foreign Private Issuer Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the Month of March 2017

001-36345

(Commission File Number)

GALMED PHARMACEUTICALS LTD.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

16 Tiomkin St.

Tel Aviv 6578317, Israel

(Address of principal executive office)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F x

Form 40-F ¨

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): ¨

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ¨

Attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference is a press release, dated March 23, 2017, and entitled “Galmed Pharmaceuticals Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2016 Financial Results; New Independent Research is Pointing Towards Potential Direct Effect of Aramchol ^TM on Liver Fibrosis.”

This Form 6-K is incorporated by reference into the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 11, 2015 (Registration No. 333-206292) and its Registration Statement on Form F-3 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2015 (Registration No. 333-203133).

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, thereunto duly authorized.