Galectin Therapeutics Appoints Seasoned Biopharmaceutical Executive Pol F. Boudes, M.D. as Chief Medical Officer
February 20 2020 - 8:00AM
Galectin Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:GALT), a leader in the field of
NASH therapeutics, today announced the appointment of Pol F.
Boudes, M.D. to the position of Chief Medical Officer. In
this position, Dr. Boudes will oversee Galectin’s global advanced
clinical development of belapectin (GR-MD-02) for NASH cirrhosis,
as well as all other company clinical and scientific
initiatives. Dr. Boudes brings more than 25 years of
experience in clinical drug development in liver-related diseases
-- most recently NASH -- and immunology, endocrine, metabolic and
orphan diseases.
“Strengthening our executive team is a key development for the
company, enhancing our future growth trajectory as we near launch
of our NASH-RX trial, an adaptively-designed Phase 3 trial in NASH
cirrhosis,” said Dr. Harold H. Shlevin, CEO. “Dr. Boudes’s diverse
background in drug development, especially his experience in NASH
and in related diseases, adds an important layer of expertise in
relevant therapeutic areas and bolsters our ability to advance the
development of our galectin-3 product assets. We are excited
to have him join our team.”
Chairman of Galectin, Mr. Richard E. Uihlein said, “On behalf of
myself and the entire board, we are extremely pleased to have such
a high quality Chief Medical Officer joining our excellent team. We
believe the hiring of Dr. Boudes demonstrates the continued
optimism and focus we collectively have on advancing our drug
candidate through the planned upcoming trial in an effective and
efficient manner.”
Dr. Boudes will report directly to Galectin’s CEO Harold
Shlevin, PhD. and serve as a member of the company’s executive
management team.
"I am very excited to join at such an important moment,” said
Dr. Boudes. “The team at Galectin has done a remarkable job to
advance the belapectin program with the planned initiation of a
well-designed and innovative late-stage adaptive study. The drug
candidate is anchored on a well-understood mechanism of action, and
its effect in preventing the development of esophageal varices, if
confirmed, could constitute a breakthrough for patients suffering
from NASH cirrhosis and; potentially, other types of liver
cirrhosis and other organ fibrosis.” Dr. Boudes added, “It will
also be an honor to work under the guidance of such an experienced
and supportive board of directors.”
Most recently, Dr. Boudes was CMO at CymaBay Therapeutics, where
he worked on the company’s proprietary NASH compound and was
instrumental in inventing and launching programs in rare liver
diseases. Prior to CymaBay, Dr. Boudes was CMO at Amicus
Therapeutics, a company focusing on rare lysosomal storage
disorders. Following this experience, Dr. Boudes became a
board member of Protalix BioTherapeutics, a company developing
plant cell expressed recombinant proteins with improved therapeutic
profiles, notably for lysosomal disorders. Additionally, he’s
held positions of increased responsibilities in clinical
development at Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Wyeth Research,
Hoffman-La Roche and Pasteur Merieux. Dr. Boudes has
contributed to the approval of multiple drugs, both in the US and
globally, across a variety of therapeutic indications.
A dual citizen of the US and France, Dr. Boudes earned his MD at
the University of Marseilles, France. He completed his
internship and residency in Marseilles and Paris and was an
Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Paris.
In this capacity he also participated in multiple clinical research
programs as an investigator. He is certified by the
Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (US) and
board-specialized in endocrinology and metabolic diseases, internal
medicine, as well as in geriatric diseases (Paris).
Dr. Boudes holds several records of invention and has
contributed to multiple peer-reviewed publications, notably on
improving the clinical development process. He served on the
editorial review board for La Revue Prescrire, a leading European
Drug Therapeutic Bulletin, and on several scientific advisory
boards for drug development. He is a member of several professional
organizations, including the American Association for the Study of
Liver Disease, the European Association for the Study of Liver
(Geneva, Switzerland), the American Diabetes Association, the Royal
Society of Medicine (London, U.K.), and the American Medical
Association.
About Galectin TherapeuticsGalectin
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 StatementsThis 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 belapectin (GR-MD-02) will lead to the first therapy
for the treatment of NASH with cirrhosis and those regarding the
hope that our lead compounds will be successful in cancer
immunotherapy. Factors that could cause actual performance to
differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking
statements include, among others, the Company’s NASH-RX
adaptively-designed Phase 3 clinical trial for the treatment of
NASH, now in the final planning stages, and any future clinical
studies, including those in connection with cancer immunotherapy,
may not proceed and 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; Galectin may not be successful in developing
effective treatments and/or obtaining the requisite approvals for
the use of belapectin; manufacturing of drug product now in
scale-up may not be successful or meet regulatory expectations;
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, 2018, 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.
Company Contact:Jack Callicutt, Chief Financial
Officer(678) 620-3186ir@galectintherapeutics.com
Media Contact:Gregory FCALexi Burchmore,
Account Supervisor(215) 297-3607lexib@gregoryfca.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5611fc21-e283-4a2e-9b0b-932323768198
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