Galectin Therapeutics to Present at EASL 2024 Congress

Galectin Therapeutics Inc., a leader in developing treatments that target the galectin-3 protein, announced its participation in the upcoming EASL 2024 meeting, scheduled for June 5-8 in Milan, Italy. The company will present new scientific findings on liver cirrhosis, particularly focusing on the correlation between collagen content in liver biopsies and portal pressure in patients with MASH cirrhosis.

Dr. Pol Boudes, Chief Medical Officer of Galectin Therapeutics, emphasized the importance of this research in addressing liver cirrhosis, a condition significantly impacting patients' lives. The study reveals that the collagen content in liver biopsies of MASH cirrhotic patients does not correlate with portal pressure, a key marker of disease progression. This finding underscores the necessity of using esophago-gastro-duodenal endoscopies to document the development of esophageal varices, a common consequence of increased portal pressure. The data further supports the adoption of esophageal varices prevention as a primary outcome measure for evaluating the efficacy of potential drugs.

Dr. Boudes highlighted the limitations of liver biopsies, noting that they represent only a tiny fraction of the liver tissue and thus may not accurately reflect the organ's overall health. Additionally, liver biopsies pose a higher risk in patients with portal hypertension. In contrast, endoscopies have proven to be generally safe and well-tolerated in the belapectin program.

Galectin's lead drug, belapectin, is a carbohydrate-based therapy that inhibits the galectin-3 protein. This protein is implicated in various inflammatory, fibrotic, and malignant diseases, earning belapectin a Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The primary focus of Galectin's development program is treating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) with cirrhosis, a severe form of liver fibrosis. Liver cirrhosis remains a significant medical challenge and represents a substantial opportunity for drug development.

Beyond liver disease, Galectin is also pursuing therapeutic options for advanced head and neck cancers and other malignancies, primarily through combination immunotherapy. The progression of these additional clinical programs hinges on finding appropriate partners. Galectin aims to leverage its scientific and development expertise, along with established external relationships, to achieve cost-effective and efficient drug development.

The upcoming presentation at the EASL 2024 meeting will provide further insights into the company's research and its implications for treating liver cirrhosis. The presentation, titled "Evaluating the correlation between portal pressure, collagen proportional area, and α-smooth muscle actin in patients with portal hypertension due to MASH cirrhosis," will be available to EASL attendees and later on Galectin's website.

Galectin Therapeutics is committed to developing innovative therapies to enhance the lives of patients with chronic liver disease and cancer. The company's approach focuses on scientific rigor, leveraging partnerships, and efficient resource use to advance its clinical programs and bring new treatments to market.