NORCROSS, Ga., Feb. 06, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Galectin Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:GALT), the leading developer of therapeutics that target galectin proteins, today announced that Peter G. Traber, M.D., the Company’s CEO and CMO, will present at BIO CEO & Investor Conference on Tuesday, February 13, 2018 at 10:15 a.m. Eastern time. The conference is being held at the New York Marriott Marquis in New York City on February 12-13, 2018.
The corporate presentation that will be used can be found on the home page of our website and a live webcast of the presentation may be accessed on the conference’s website at http://www.veracast.com/webcasts/bio/ceoinvestor2018/50210156741.cfm with the ability to replay one hour after the conclusion of the webcast. The webcast will be archived for 90 days following the event on the company’s website at www.galectintherapeutics.com.
Positive Results in NASH Cirrhosis
GR-MD-02, a proprietary polysaccharide pharmaceutical preparation that inhibits galectin proteins, recently showed in a Phase 2b clinical trial (NASH-CX) that there were statistically significant and clinically relevant positive effects in patients with NASH cirrhosis without esophageal varices. This type of patient is about 50 percent of the total population of patients with NASH cirrhosis, and is estimated to be 2.5 million people in the United States. The Company believes that this is the first randomized clinical trial of any drug to demonstrate clinically meaningful positive effects in this important group of patients. Full details of Galectin’s NASH-CX trial can be found in a supplemental slide deck to our corporate presentation on the home page of our website.
Encouraging Results in Cancer Immunotherapy
GR-MD-02 also showed encouraging Phase 1b results in combination with pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA®) to treat advanced melanoma. In the first two cohorts of this study, five out of eight patients (62.5 percent) with advanced melanoma had objective responses, with two complete and three partial responses, which compares favorably with the known response rates with pembrolizumab alone (~33 percent). The study continues with additional results expected in Summer, 2018. Full details on Galectin’s combination cancer immunotherapy program can be found in a supplemental slide deck to our corporate presentation on the home page of our website.
About Galectin Therapeutics
Galectin Therapeutics is dedicated to developing novel therapies to improve the lives of patients with chronic liver and skin diseases and cancer. Galectin's lead drug (GR-MD-02) is a carbohydrate-based drug that inhibits the galectin-3 protein that is directly involved in multiple inflammatory, fibrotic, and malignant diseases. The lead development program is in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with cirrhosis, the most advanced form of NASH related fibrosis. This is the most common liver disease and one of the largest drug development opportunities available today. A second development program is in combination immunotherapy for advanced melanoma and other malignancies. Finally, GR-MD-02 has shown efficacy in small, open label studies for treatment of severe atopic dermatitis and moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, Galectin seeks to leverage extensive scientific and development expertise as well as established relationships with external sources to achieve cost-effective and efficient development. 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 NASH with cirrhosis and those regarding the hope that our lead compounds will be successful in connection with cancer immunotherapy, 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 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; the Company may find that its patents do not offer the protection anticipated, and 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, 2016, 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.
Galectin Therapeutics and its associated logo is a registered trademark of Galectin Therapeutics Inc.
Galectin Therapeutics, Inc.
Jack Callicutt, Chief Financial Officer
678-620-3186
ir@galectintherapeutics.com