Press Release

NORCROSS, Ga., May 03, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Galectin Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:GALT), the leading developer of therapeutics that target galectin proteins, today announced the launch of the Liver Line, an online community and publication on liver health and liver disease.

Liver Line is envisioned as a central gathering place for patients, medical professionals and researchers to learn about the latest research in liver health and the treatment of diseases such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), liver fibrosis, and cirrhosis. Liver Line will also discuss how the mechanisms behind liver disease are connected to other diseases.

"Liver health should be as important to everyone as heart health," said Dr. Peter Traber, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Medical Officer of Galectin Therapeutics. "Just as with the heart, you only have one liver. Everything you eat passes through your liver on its way from the digestive tract to the rest of the body. However, while we know how to live a heart-healthy life, most people know nothing about how to ensure a healthy liver."

Liver diseases such as fatty liver disease, NASH, and cirrhosis are often called a "hidden epidemic." By some estimates, up to a quarter of the people in world are affected by fatty liver disease, with a lifetime risk of some 20 million people dying as a result. Yet, few people talk about liver health and there are no approved therapies for NASH fibrosis or NASH cirrhosis. Liver Line looks to make these issues and this research more visible.

"We have only one liver, and it's so important that it has a tremendous reserve capacity," continued Dr. Traber. "You can knock out a high percentage of the liver and it still functions effectively to keep people alive. It's a very resilient organ, and, for that reason, diseases can affect the liver for a long time before the liver function starts to fail. That's one of the reasons why NASH patients can have inflammation in their liver and progressing fibrosis for decades with no or minimal symptoms and no adverse effects until the late stages of disease. Seemingly suddenly, they have cirrhosis."

The Liver Line is sponsored by Galectin Therapeutics, the leading developer of therapeutics that target galectin proteins. Galectin Therapeutics has clinical trials currently underway, exploring promising carbohydrate-based therapies for the treatment of fibrotic liver disease, cirrhosis and cancer. Visit Galectin Therapeutics for more information.

About Galectin Therapeutics
Galectin Therapeutics is developing promising therapies for the treatment of fibrotic liver disease, skin diseases, and cancer based on the Company's unique understanding of galectin proteins, which are key mediators of biologic function. Galectin seeks to leverage extensive scientific and development expertise as well as established relationships with external sources to achieve cost-effective and efficient development. The Company is pursuing a development pathway to clinical enhancement and commercialization for its lead compounds in liver fibrosis and cancer. Additional information is available at www.galectintherapeutics.com.

Contacts:

Jack Callicutt, Chief Financial Officer

(678) 620-3186

ir@galectintherapeutics.com

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