Press Release
Galectin Therapeutics to Announce New Data on the Treatment of Fatty Liver Disease and Fibrosis
NEWTON, Mass., Oct 13, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Galectin TherapeuticsInc. (OTC: GALT), the leader in developing carbohydrate-based therapeutic compounds to inhibit galectin proteins today announced that its abstract was accepted by the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) for presentation at its Special Conference on Liver Transplantation to be held in Lisbon, Portugal, December 15-17, 2011. The abstract, "Improvement of Steatosis, Inflammation, and Fibrosis in a Mouse Model of Steatohepatitis Following Treatment with Galectin Inhibitor," will highlight pre-clinical data on Galectin Therapeutics' drug candidates for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
"Galectin Therapeutics is developing carbohydrate-based galectin inhibitors for fibrotic liver disease and cancer based on our unique understanding of galectin proteins, which are key mediators of biologic function," said Dr. Peter G. Traber, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Medical Officer, Galectin Therapeutics. "Currently, there are no therapeutic treatments available of liver fibrosis, with liver transplantation as the only option. Galectin Therapeutics has previously demonstrated the ability to arrest and reverse liver fibrosis in pre-clinical studies with our GM and GR series of galectin-inhibitor compounds and we are now expanding their therapeutic potential to pre-clinical models of NASH. The data to be presented at EASL demonstrate promising initial pre-clinical effect in this indication."
NASH is a common disease of the liver, affecting 9 to 15 million people in the United States. NASH is characterized by the presence of fat in the liver along with inflammation and damage in people who drink little or no alcohol. Over time, patients with NASH can develop fibrosis, or scarring of the liver, that can lead to cirrhosis, a severe liver disease where transplantation is the only current treatment available. Galectin Therapeutics is developing drug candidates as an alternative to transplantation, and lead candidates have shown in pre-clinical models to reverse fibrosis of the liver.
About Galectin Therapeutics
Galectin Therapeutics (OTC: GALT) is developing promising carbohydrate-based therapies for fibrotic liver disease and cancer based on the Company's unique understanding of galectin proteins, key mediators of biologic function. We are leveraging extensive scientific and development expertise as well as established relationships with external sources to achieve cost effective and efficient development. We are pursuing a clear development pathway to clinical enhancement and commercialization for our lead compounds in liver fibrosis and cancer. Additional information is available at http://www.galectintherapeutics.com.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains, in addition to historical information, 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 our current expectations and are subject to factors and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the statements. Factors that could cause our actual performance to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include, among others: incurrence of operating losses since our inception, uncertainty as to adequate financing of our operations, extensive and costly regulatory oversight that could restrict or prevent product commercialization, inability to achieve commercial product acceptance, inability to protect our intellectual property, dependence on strategic partnerships, product competition, and others stated in risk factors contained in our SEC filings. We cannot assure that we have identified all risks or that others may emerge which we do not anticipate. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Although subsequent events may cause our views to change, we disclaim any obligation to update forward-looking statements.
SOURCE: Galectin Therapeutics Inc.
Galectin Therapeutics Inc.
Anthony D. Squeglia, 617-559-0033
Chief Financial Officer