Press Release
Galectin Therapeutics Receives US Patent for Second Drug Class to Treat Chronic Liver Disease with Fibrosis (Scarring) and Cirrhosis
NORCROSS, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 26, 2012-- Galectin Therapeutics (NASDAQ: GALT), the leading developer of therapeutics that target galectin proteins to treat fibrosis and cancer, today announced that it has received a notice of allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a divisional patent of Patent Number 8,236,780 “Galactose-prolonged polysaccharides in a formulation for antifibrotic therapies”. The patent covers key methods of derivation and use for the Company’s galactomannan-based carbohydrate galectin inhibitor compounds, for use in patients with chronic liver disease associated with the development of fibrosis, established liver fibrosis or end-stage scarring, or cirrhosis. Fibrotic disease of the liver is highly prevalent in the population because all chronic liver diseases, including viral hepatitis, fatty liver and alcohol abuse, result in fibrosis of the liver for which there are no currently approved pharmaceutical therapies.
“This patent broadens Galectin Therapeutics’ intellectual property to include two distinct classes of galectin inhibitors for the treatment of liver fibrosis, a highly prevalent and critical medical condition with no approved treatments other than transplantation,” said Peter G. Traber, MD, President, CEO and CMO of Galectin Therapeutics. “The intellectual property protection for our galactomannan (GM)-based compounds augments our IP portfolio, which already contains coverage for galacto-rhamnogalacturonan (GR)-based compounds, thus enabling a pipeline of candidates with drugs from each class that can be evaluated for the treatment of fibrosis.”
“GM-CT-01, our first galactomannan-based compound, has demonstrated an excellent safety profile in over 100 patients and could be moved rapidly forward in Phase 2 clinical trials in fibrosis,” commented Traber. “GM-CT-01 could be useful as a follow-on compound to GR-MD-02, our lead clinical compound in fibrosis, for stand-alone or combination therapeutic approaches. Preclinical results of both our GM- and GR-based candidates have shown reversal of fibrosis in rodent models of disease.”
The major claim is for a method of obtaining the galectin inhibitor compound, obtaining a composition for parenteral administration in an acceptable pharmaceutical carrier and administering to a subject having at least one of the following: chronic liver disease associated with the development of fibrosis, established liver fibrosis or cirrhosis. The use covers inhibiting or slowing the progression of fibrosis or the reversal of fibrosis.
About Galectin Therapeutics
Galectin Therapeutics (NASDAQ: GALT) 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, 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 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
Galectin Therapeutics Inc.
Peter G. Traber, MD, 678-620-3186
President, CEO, & CMO