UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 12, 2019
GALECTIN THERAPEUTICS INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Nevada | 001-31791 | 04-3562325 | ||
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
4960 PEACHTREE INDUSTRIAL BOULEVARD, STE 240
NORCROSS, GA 30071
(Address of principal executive office) (zip code)
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (678) 620-3186
N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
☐ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
☐ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
☐ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
☐ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class |
Trading Symbol |
Name of each exchange on which registered | ||
Common Stock $0.001 par value per share | GALT | The Nasdaq Capital Market |
SECTION 2 FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
On November 12, 2019, Galectin Therapeutics Inc. (Galectin Therapeutics) issued a press release announcing its results of operations and financial condition as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and provided a business update. Galectin hereby incorporates by reference herein the information set forth in its press release dated November 12, 2019 (the Press Release), a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.
Except for the historical information contained in this report, the statements made by Galectin Therapeutics are forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. All such statements are subject to the safe harbor created by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Galectin Therapeutics future financial performance could differ significantly from the expectations of management and from results expressed or implied in the Press Release. Forward-looking statements in the Press Release are subject to certain risks and uncertainties described in the Press Release. For further information on other risk factors, please refer to the Risk Factors contained in Galectin Therapeutics Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and its subsequent filings with the SEC.
The information in this Item 2.02 is being furnished, not filed, pursuant to Item 2.02 of Form 8-K. Accordingly, the information in Item 2.02 of this report, including the Press Release attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1, will not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement filed by Galectin under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, unless specifically identified therein as being incorporated therein by reference.
SECTION 9 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
Exhibit Number |
Description | |
99.1 | Press Release dated November 12, 2019 |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Galectin Therapeutics Inc. has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Galectin Therapeutics Inc. | ||||||
Date: November 12, 2019 | By: | /s/ Jack W. Callicutt | ||||
Jack W. Callicutt | ||||||
Chief Financial Officer |
-3-
Exhibit 99.1
Galectin Therapeutics Reports Q3 2019 Financial Results
Provides Update on NASH-RX Trial Plan
NORCROSS, Ga. November 12, 2019 Galectin Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: GALT), the leading developer of therapeutics that target galectin proteins, today reported financial results and provided a business update for the three months ended September 30, 2019. These results are included in the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and is available at www.sec.gov.
Harold H. Shlevin, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Galectin Therapeutics, said, Our team continues to vigorously pursue the implementation of additional trials of our proprietary compound, belapectin (GR-MD-02), including constructive, ongoing dialogue with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Representative of our most recent progress, Covance, our clinical research organization, has identified over 125 clinical trial sites in 11 countries interested in the trial, many of which have been qualified by pre-study visits. It is an exciting time at Galectin. We are well-prepared to advance the investigation of this valuable compound, which is the first drug to show positive results in a clinical trial in patients with compensated NASH cirrhosis without esophageal varices.
Richard E. Uihlein, Chairman of the Board, added, The growing, global incidence of NASH has raised the stakes in finding effective means to treat this debilitating disease. With our valuable science, which has shown positive results in a clinical trial in patients with compensated NASH cirrhosis without esophageal varices, and our world-class scientific team, we have the extensive and experienced resources needed to help develop therapies that have the potential to save lives.
NASH-RX Trial Update
The NASH-RX Trial was initially designed as a Phase 3 trial of GR-MD-02 in NASH cirrhosis patients based on United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) feedback from a February 2019 meeting between the Company and the FDA. The trial design is being refined as a result of further input received from the FDA in late October 2019 and ongoing input from the FDA.
The late October 2019 FDA comments are being evaluated by the Company in conjunction with its external hepatology experts and medical and other experts at Covance. In its comments, the FDA seemingly is departing from its earlier implied potential support of the use of progression to varices as a surrogate endpoint for accelerated approval. A follow up call with the FDA is scheduled for later in November to clarify aspects of its communication. The FDA also made
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additional constructive comments and suggestions mostly of an operational nature. Based on updated feedback, the Company is redesigning the trial protocol. We will continue to seek approval in a manner consistent with the data derived from the results of the trial. The pathway pursued will be based on the assessment of that data.
Currently, as a result of the Agencys feedback and after consultation with external experts, the Company plans to conduct an adaptive-designed trial that confirms dose selection and data observed in the NASH-CX trial and where, in a seamless fashion with pre-planned adaptations, an interim analysis informs the larger Phase 3 trial component. The adaptive design being considered allows pre-planned adjustments of the trial which may include, amongst other factors, optimization of dose selection, confirmation of efficacy and proof of concept, optimized sizing and statistical powering of the Phase 3 component, and possible inclusion of more advanced cirrhotic patients. We believe that these adaptations taken together should optimize conduct of the NASH-RX trial giving GR-MD-02 the best opportunity to show a positive therapeutic effect. Existing patients in the first component of the trial are expected to be seamlessly transitioned to the Phase 3 trial component. An important aspect of the adaptive design is potential early termination of the study for futility after evaluation of the results from the first part of the trial, thereby saving the company resources that it could expend on other trials. Conversely, if the final results of the NASH-RX trial are compelling there could be the potential for FDA approval and/or partnership opportunity with a large pharmaceutical company.
In the Phase 3 component of this trial, the primary endpoint would likely be a composite clinical outcomes endpoint, including varices requiring treatment (development of large varices or varices with a red wale), decompensated events, all-cause mortality, MELD score increase as defined earlier and liver transplant. Patient selection would be based on clinical criteria indicative of clinically significant portal hypertension, amongst others, including presence or absence of varices, platelet count, spleen size and evidence of collaterals by imaging. In addition, in parallel, a hepatic impairment study in patients with Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) classes A, B, and C would be conducted to potentially allow inclusion of patients with CTP Class B and/or C who are at increased risk of decompensating. Subject to additional assessments to assure appropriate study sizing and other operational considerations, these changes are believed to be relatively straight-forward modifications of the protocols submitted to the Agency in July 2019, and we believe the changes will increase the likelihood of success of the Phase 3 component of the study. These current plans are subject to modification after discussion with FDA. The final study design will be announced when available.
The focus and goal of the therapeutic program is to stop the progression of and reverse the fibrosis and/or portal hypertension in the liver and thereby improve liver function and prevent the development of varices and clinical complications of fibrosis/cirrhosis and liver-related mortality in patients. Based on the results of the NASH-CX trial and subject to confirmation in later stage clinical trials, we believe that this goal is achievable in a significant portion of the NASH cirrhosis patient population i.e. those NASH cirrhosis patients with portal hypertension.
The key milestones and associated target dates for the NASH-RX trial will be announced as elements of design of the trial are finalized based on the recent FDA feedback. However, we currently expect the first patient to be enrolled in the first quarter of 2020. The study likely will involve at least 500 patients at up to approximately 130 sites in 11 countries in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia and will continue for at least two years of dosing.
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Other Updates
| Along with Providence Cancer Institute, received a notice of issuance of a U.S. patent titled Method for Enhancing Specific Immunotherapies in Cancer Treatment to cover the method of use of belapectin (GR-MD-02) as a means to enhance the effectiveness of specific immunotherapies in cancer treatment. The patent coverage extends to 2033. |
| Revamped the corporate and investor websites to increase transparency and improve mobile accessibility. |
Scientific Presentations and Conferences
| An abstract based on results obtained in a subsequent ad hoc analysis of Galectin Therapeutics NASH-CX Phase 2 Clinical Trial by investigators at the University of Indiana was presented at The Liver Meeting (AASLD) in Boston, Massachusetts on November 8-12. The poster presentation was titled Enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF) score significantly predicts 52-week liver decompensation in patients with compensated NASH cirrhosis. |
| Eliezer Zomer, Vice President, will present at the 3rd Annual Anti-Fibrotic Drug Development Summit (AFDD) on November 19, 2019, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Dr. Zomers presentation, titled Therapeutic Integrin Inhibition, will discuss the next generation of Galectin-3 inhibitors as well as the discovery of functional allosteric inhibitors as part of efforts of Galectin Sciences LLC, our majority owned subsidiary. |
Financial Results
For the three months ended September 30, 2019, the Company reported a net loss applicable to common stockholders of $2.8 million, or $0.05 per share, compared to a net loss applicable to common stockholders of $3.0 million, or $0.07 per share, for the three months ended September 30, 2018. The decrease in net loss per share was primarily due to an increase in weighted average shares outstanding in the current period compared to the prior year period.
Research and development expense for the three months ended September 30, 2019, was $1.5 million compared with $1.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018. There was an increase of about $0.3 million in clinical and pre-clinical development expenses which was offset by a similar amount of decrease in non-cash stock-based compensation expense. General and administrative expense for the three months ended September 30, 2019, were $1.4 million, compared to $1.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, primarily due to increases in legal and business development expenses.
As of September 30, 2019, the Company had $50.3 million of cash and cash equivalents. The Company also has a $10 million unsecured line of credit, under which no borrowings have been made to date, and potential additional capital under its At the Market common stock issuance agreement. The Company believes there is sufficient cash, including availability of the line of
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credit, to fund currently planned operations at least through December 31, 2020. The Company expects that it will require more cash to fund operations after December 31, 2020 and believes it will be able to obtain additional financing as needed. The total cost of the planned trial, including general overhead, is estimated to be approximately $100 to $115 million; however, the costs and timing of such trial are not yet completely finalized. These costs will require additional funding. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in obtaining financing to support our operations beyond December 31, 2020, or, if available, that any such financing will be on terms acceptable to us.
About Galectin Therapeutics
Galectin Therapeutics is dedicated to developing novel therapies to improve the lives of patients with chronic liver disease and cancer. Galectins lead drug belapectin (formerly known as GR-MD-02) is a carbohydrate-based drug that inhibits the galectin-3 protein which is directly involved in multiple inflammatory, fibrotic, and malignant diseases for which it has Fast Track designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 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. Additional development programs are in treatment of combination immunotherapy for advanced melanoma and other malignancies. Advancement of these additional clinical programs is largely dependent on finding a suitable partner. 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 managements 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 Galectins 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 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 trial endpoints required by the FDA may not be achieved; 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 Companys currently planned clinical trial and any future clinical studies as modified to meet the requirements of the FDA may not produce positive results in a timely fashion, if at all, and could require larger and longer trials, which would be time consuming and costly; plans regarding development, approval and marketing of any of Galectins 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 any studies or trials.
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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 Galectins business, see the Companys 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) 620-3186
ir@galectintherapeutics.com.
Media Contact:
Gregory FCA
Rachel Giltz
(215) 297-3607
rachel@gregoryfca.com
Galectin Therapeutics and its associated logo is a registered trademark of Galectin Therapeutics Inc.
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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Three Months Ended September 30, |
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
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2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | |||||||||||||
(in thousands, except per share data) | ||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses: |
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Research and development |
$ | 1,503 | $ | 1,505 | $ | 3,671 | $ | 5,279 | ||||||||
General and administrative |
1,360 | 1,175 | 4,579 | 5,338 | ||||||||||||
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Total operating expenses |
2,863 | 2,680 | 8,250 | 10,617 | ||||||||||||
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Total operating loss |
(2,863 | ) | (2,680 | ) | (8,250 | ) | (10,617 | ) | ||||||||
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Other income (expense): |
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Interest income |
101 | 15 | 158 | 23 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense |
(22 | ) | (87 | ) | (65 | ) | (256 | ) | ||||||||
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Total other income |
79 | (72 | ) | 93 | (233 | ) | ||||||||||
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Net loss |
$ | (2,784 | ) | $ | (2,752 | ) | $ | (8,157 | ) | $ | (10,850 | ) | ||||
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Preferred stock dividends |
(35 | ) | (294 | ) | (198 | ) | (848 | ) | ||||||||
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Warrant modification |
(6,622 | ) | ||||||||||||||
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Net loss applicable to common stock |
$ | (2,819 | ) | $ | (3,046 | ) | $ | (14,977 | ) | $ | (11,698 | ) | ||||
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Basic and diluted net loss per share |
$ | (0.05 | ) | $ | (0.07 | ) | $ | (0.27 | ) | $ | (0.30 | ) | ||||
Shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share |
56,631 | 40,921 | 55,493 | 38,822 |
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Data
September 30, 2019 |
December 31, 2018 |
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(in thousands) | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 50,337 | $ | 8,253 | ||||
Total assets |
50,760 | 9,006 | ||||||
Total current liabilities |
1,216 | 2,108 | ||||||
Total liabilities |
1,278 | 2,108 | ||||||
Total redeemable, convertible preferred stock |
1,723 | 1,723 | ||||||
Total stockholders equity |
$ | 47,759 | $ | 5,175 |
# # #
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