Press Release
Galectin Therapeutics Submits Phase 3 NASH-RX Protocol in Nash Cirrhosis to FDA
Galectin provided its Phase 3 protocol and statistical analysis plan for
“The Galectin team is excited about the submission of the Phase 3 NASH-RX protocol, and the other requested information including the draft Phase 4 synopsis to the
“After months of thorough evaluation and consideration of six top contract research organizations (CROs) in a rigorous bid defense process, we selected a leading global CRO, with deep experience in NASH cirrhosis and operations in more than 60 countries worldwide, to partner with us on our Phase 3 program,” continued Dr. Shlevin. “Our CRO’s extensive experience in conducting clinical trials in our therapeutic area was certainly an important consideration in evaluating CROs. We are particularly impressed by its work with clinical trials involving assessment and adjudication of video endoscopies, the critical variable of the primary endpoint in our Phase 3 trial. The CRO has already begun extensive work on site and vendor startup activities. We are also including a NASH-specific site network to accelerate site startup and patient enrollment for this trial. The global medical team at our CRO, together with our two co-primary investigators, Dr. Naga Chalasani and Dr.
In a joint statement, Drs. Harrison and Chalasani said, “We are honored to have been chosen as co-principal investigators on this very important study. Having worked with
The NASH-RX trial is designed as an international, multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group, Phase 3 study with approximately 500 patients at up to 128 sites in 11 countries in
About Belapectin (GR-MD-02)
Belapectin (GR-MD-02) is a complex carbohydrate drug that targets galectin-3, a critical protein in the pathogenesis of fatty liver disease and fibrosis. Galectin-3 plays a major role in diseases that involve scarring of organs including fibrotic disorders of the liver, lung, kidney, heart and vascular system. The drug binds to galectin proteins and disrupts their function. Preclinical data in animals have shown that GR-MD-02 has robust treatment effects in reversing liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.
About Fatty Liver Disease with Advanced Fibrosis and Cirrhosis
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), also known as fatty liver disease, has become a common disease of the liver with the rise in obesity rates. NASH is estimated to affect up to 28 million people in the U.S. Fatty liver disease is characterized by the presence of fat in the liver along with inflammation and damage in people who consume little or no alcohol. Over time, patients with fatty liver disease can develop fibrosis, or scarring of the liver, and it is estimated that as many as 1-2 million individuals in the U.S. will develop cirrhosis, a severe liver disease for which liver transplantation is the only treatment available. Approximately 6,300 liver transplants are performed annually in the U.S. There are no drug therapies approved for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
About
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 belapectin will lead to the first therapy for the treatment of fatty liver disease with cirrhosis and those regarding the hope that our lead compounds will be successful in the treatment of severe atopic dermatitis, moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and in cancer immunotherapy and in other therapeutic indications. 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 belapectin or any of its other drugs in development; the Company may not be successful in scaling up manufacturing and meeting requirements related to chemistry, manufacturing and control matters; the Company’s currently planned clinical trial and any 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; 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 completely 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
Company Contact:
Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary
(678) 620-3186
ir@galectintherapeutics.com
Media Contact:
Gregory FCA
(215) 297-3607
rachel@gregoryfca.com
Source: Galectin Therapeutics Inc.