galectin-3

Galecto will focus on cancer and liver disease, leveraging existing clinical stage asset GB1211Bolsters pipeline by obtaining global rights to BRM-1420, a novel dual ENL-YEATS and FLT3 inhibitor for multiple genetic subsets of acute myeloid leukemia (AML)BRM-1420 has the potential for enhanced clinical effectiveness compared to FLT3 inhibitors alone and has shown synergistic effects with SOC in preclinical models BOSTON, Oct. 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Galecto, Inc. (NASDAQ: GLTO), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development of novel treatments for cancer and fibrosis, today announced that, following an intensive strategic review process, Galecto has determined to focus on cancer and liver disease, leveraging its existing clinical stage asset GB1211, which has shown positive results in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and decompensated cirrhosis clinical studies. Galecto further announced that it has bolstered its pipeline with the acquisition of the global rights to BRM-1420, a novel, first-in-class asset developed by Bridge Medicines, a company co-founded by Takeda. “Our strategic review process concluded that our best opportunity for building value and changing the lives for patients with severe diseases was to focus on our existing clinical stage compound GB1211 and increase our chance for success by acquiring complementary assets. The addition of BRM-1420 represents a significant advancement in our mission to develop and deliver breakthrough treatments for oncology and liver conditions,” said Dr. Hans Schambye, CEO of Galecto. “We are particularly optimistic about BRM-1420's potential to address challenging genetic subsets of AML and its observed synergistic effects with standard-of-care therapies and menin inhibitors.” “AML is the most common acute leukemia in adults, yet despite available treatments, patient prognosis remains poor with significant unmet needs,” said Miles Gerson, Head of Takeda Ventures and Takeda’s Representative to Bridge Medicines. “Bridge Medicines has made considerable progress in recent years developing this new class of drugs and Galecto’s team is well positioned to continue advancing BRM-1420.” As consideration for the acquisition of the global rights of BRM-1420, Galecto issued 62,594 shares of common stock to Bridge Medicines, representing 4.99% of the outstanding shares of Galecto’s common stock as of the date of the asset purchase, and 160.562 shares of a newly-issued Series A preferred stock convertible into 160,562 shares of common stock, or approximately 12.8% of Galecto’s common stock, upon receipt of stockholder approval. Matthew Kronmiller, Bridge Medicine’s Chief Executive Officer, will be joining Galecto’s management team as the Executive Vice President of Strategy and Chief Business Officer. The transaction was approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies. Leerink Partners served as the exclusive financial advisor to Galecto and Lazard served as exclusive financial advisor to Bridge Medicines. Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. is serving as legal counsel to Galecto. Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian, LLP is serving as legal counsel to Bridge Medicines. About BRM-1420BRM-1420 is a potent and selective ENL-YEATS and FLT3 inhibitor of multiple genetic subsets of AML. It disrupts key oncogenic pathways by inhibiting these domains, showing potent activity in MLLr and NPM1c cell lines. Promising preclinical and in vivo results highlight its efficacy in inhibiting leukemia cell growth and extending survival in AML models. In animal models, BRM-1420 exhibited superior efficacy to both FLT3 and menin inhibitors and was shown to inhibit cell proliferation in primary AML patient samples across multiple genotypes, including MLL-r, NPM1m, cKIT+, FLT3+, TET2+, and TP53+. These mutations are often seen in AML and, in total, could account for greater than 30% of the AML patient population. Many of these mutations have proven difficult to treat with currently available regimens and therefore represent a significant unmet medical need. The Company believes, based on preclinical data, that BRM-1420 could be additive or synergistic when used in combination with the current standard of care (azacitidine, venetoclax, cytarabine, gilteritinib), as well as current therapies under development, such as menin inhibitors. Galecto plans to file an IND for BRM-1420 in the US in late 2025 or early 2026 and initiate clinical studies in patients with AML thereafter. Exclusive global rights to the program were assigned by Bridge Medicines to Galecto through a license with The Rockefeller University. The pioneering discoveries were a result of collaboration between the Rockefeller University and the Tri-Institutional Therapeutics Discovery Institute (Tri-I TDI), followed by licensing by Bridge Medicines. About Galecto’s PipelineGalecto continues to develop GB1211, its first-in-class, oral small molecule, galectin-3 inhibitor for the treatment of oncology and severe liver cirrhosis. GB1211 is currently being studied in an investigator-initiated Phase 2 trial at Providence Portland Medical Center’s Earle A. Chiles Research Institute (EACRI). GB1211 is being administered in combination with the standard therapeutic dose of pembrolizumab (Keytruda®) in patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma or recurrent or metastatic HNSCC progressing during or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. This trial is designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of GB1211 in combination with pembrolizumab and determine whether the addition of GB1211 increases the response rate of pembrolizumab in metastatic melanoma and HNSCC patients. This trial was initiated and enrolled its first patient in the second quarter of 2024. In addition, during the second half of 2023, Galecto concluded its Phase 1b/2a trial examining GB1211 in combination with atezolizumab, a PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitor, for the treatment of first-line non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Four patients in this trial showed a partial response according to RECIST criteria (version 1.1), and two of these four patients continue to receive treatment in the extension phase of the trial. As part of the strategic alternative review process, Galecto has determined not to further advance GB2064, its LOXL-2 inhibitor candidate, at this time. About GalectoGalecto is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to realizing the promise of novel treatments for cancer and liver diseases. The Company’s pipeline consists of first-in-class small molecule drug candidates that target cancer and fibrosis signaling pathways, including (i) an orally active galectin-3 inhibitor (GB1211) for the treatment of liver cirrhosis; (ii) an orally active galectin-3 inhibitor (GB1211) in combination with a checkpoint inhibitor for various oncology indications; and (iii) a preclinical dual inhibitor of ENL-YEATS and FLT3 (BRM-1420) for multiple genetic subsets of AML. Galecto intends to use its website as a means of disclosing material non-public information. For regular updates about Galecto, visit www.galecto.com. Forward-Looking StatementsCertain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements include statements about Galecto’s preclinical and clinical development plans for BRM-1420; BRM-1420's potential to address challenging genetic subsets of AML and its observed synergistic effects with standard-of-care therapies and menin inhibitors; that BRM-1420 has the potential to transform the treatment of AML; that the MLL-r, NPM1m, cKIT+, FLT3+, TET2+, and TP53+ mutations could account for greater than 30% of the AML patient population; and that BRM-1420 could be additive or synergistic when used in combination with current standard of care as well as current therapies under development. Such forward-looking statements include statements about Galecto’s focus and plans for preclinical and clinical development of its product candidates and pipeline. The words “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “project,” “potential,” “continue,” “target” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. For such statements, Galecto claims the protection of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual events or results may differ materially from Galecto's expectations. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties related to the development of Galecto’s product candidates and their therapeutic potential, having adequate funds and their use, and those disclosed in Galecto’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including, but not limited to, Galecto’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC on March 8, 2024. These forward-looking statements represent Galecto's judgment as of the time of this release. Galecto disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements, other than as may be required under applicable law. For more information, contact: Investors/USMedia/EUAshley R. Robinsonarr@lifesciadvisors.comSandya von der Weidsvonderweid@lifesciadvisors.com+1 617 430 7577+41 78 680 0538

BOSTON, Aug. 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Galecto, Inc. (NASDAQ: GLTO), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development of novel treatments for cancer and fibrosis, today announced that it will implement a 1-for-25 Reverse Stock Split of its common stock (the “Reverse Stock Split”), effective at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, August 29, 2024. The Reverse Stock Split, which was approved by shareholders at the company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders on June 20, 2024, is primarily intended to bring the company into compliance with the minimum bid price requirement for maintaining its listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market. Beginning with the opening of trading on Friday, August 30, 2024, the company’s common stock will trade on the Nasdaq Capital Market on a split-adjusted basis under the existing symbol “GLTO” and a new CUSIP number 36322Q 206. At the effective time of the Reverse Stock Split, every twenty-five (25) shares of the company’s issued and outstanding common stock will be automatically converted into one (1) issued and outstanding share of common stock without any change in the par value of $0.00001 per share. This will reduce the company’s number of shares of outstanding common stock from approximately 27.1 million shares to approximately 1.1 million shares. The total authorized number of shares will not be reduced. Proportional adjustments will be made to the number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the company’s outstanding stock options and restricted stock units, as well as the applicable exercise price of the stock options. No fractional shares of common stock will be issued as a result of the Reverse Stock Split. In lieu of issuing fractional shares, shareholders of record who otherwise would be entitled to receive fractional shares will be entitled to rounding up of the fractional share to the nearest whole number. The Reverse Stock Split impacts all holders of the company’s common stock proportionally and will not impact any shareholder’s percentage ownership of common stock (except for immaterial adjustments that may result from the treatment of fractional shares). Computershare Inc. is acting as exchange agent for the Reverse Stock Split. Registered shareholders holding pre-split shares of the company's common stock are not required to take any action to receive post-split shares. Shareholders owning shares via a broker, bank, trust or other nominee will have their positions automatically adjusted to reflect the Reverse Stock Split, subject to such broker's particular processes, and will not be required to take any action in connection with the Reverse Stock Split. Additional information about the Reverse Stock Split can be found in Galecto’s definitive proxy statement (Form DEF 14A) filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on April 29, 2024. About GalectoGalecto is a clinical stage company incorporated in the U.S. that is developing small molecule-based inhibitors of galectin-3 and LOXL2. Galecto has multiple Phase 2 clinical opportunities in fibrosis and cancer, including (i) an orally active LOXL2 inhibitor (GB2064) for the treatment of myelofibrosis; (ii) an orally active galectin-3 inhibitor (GB1211) for the treatment of liver cirrhosis; and (iii) an orally active galectin-3 inhibitor (GB1211) in combination with a checkpoint inhibitor for various oncology indications. In September 2023, Galecto announced that it initiated a process to evaluate strategic alternatives. As part of this ongoing strategic review process, Galecto continues to explore potential strategic alternatives that include, without limitation, a stock or asset acquisition, merger, business combination, liquidation, dissolution or other transactions. Forward-Looking StatementsCertain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding the timing of the implementation of the Reverse Stock Split and our compliance with the continued listing requirements of The Nasdaq Capital Market, our compliance with the continued listing requirements of The Nasdaq Capital Market and our plans and expectations regarding our strategic alternative review process that we announced in September 2023 and the timing and success of such process, including the completion of a potential transaction. Such forward-looking statements include statements about Galecto’s focus, plans for clinical development, product candidates and pipeline. The words “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “project,” “potential,” “continue,” “target” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. For such statements, Galecto claims the protection of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual events or results may differ materially from Galecto's expectations. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties related to the development of Galecto’s product candidates and their therapeutic potential, having adequate funds and their use, and those disclosed in Galecto’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including, but not limited to, Galecto’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC on March 8, 2024. These forward-looking statements represent Galecto's judgment as of the time of this release. Galecto disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements, other than as may be required under applicable law. For more information, contact: Galecto, Inc. Hans Schambye, CEO +45 70 70 52 10 Investors/USMedia/EUAshley R. RobinsonSandya von der Weidarr@lifesciadvisors.com svonderweid@lifesciadvisors.com +1 617 430 7577+41 78 680 0538

NORCROSS, Ga., June 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Galectin Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:GALT), the leading developer of therapeutics that target galectin-3, today announced that it will attend the EASL 2024 meeting and deliver a scientific presentation. The meeting will be held June 5-8, 2024, in Milan, Italy. “At this year’s meeting we are again pleased to share important scientific information with the hepatology community. Through the knowledge captured from our belapectin program, we are adding knowledge on liver cirrhosis, a disease that dramatically affects the lives of our patients and has been neglected for far too long. This year we show that collagen content in liver biopsies of MASH cirrhotic patients fails to correlate with measures of portal pressure, a main marker of disease progression. This further emphasizes the importance of using esophago-gastro-duodenal endoscopies to document the development esophageal varices, a direct consequence of increased portal pressure. The data also provide support to the use of prevention of esophageal varices as a primary outcome measure of efficacy for candidate drugs,” said Pol Boudes, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Galectin Therapeutics. “In liver cirrhosis, the early recognition of portal hypertension is essential and allows to potentially address the cirrhotic disease process when it is still potentially reversible, and before liver transplant becomes the only curative option. Our results are not surprising when you consider that a liver biopsy provides tissue representing only 0.0002% of the hepatic gland and thus cannot fully reflect the health of this large organ1. It is also important to understand that liver biopsies present more risk in patients with portal hypertension. On the other hand, we have shown in our belapectin program that endoscopies are generally well tolerated and safe.” 1 Colloredo G, Guido M, Sonzogni A, Leandro G. Impact of liver biopsy size on histological evaluation of chronic viral hepatitis: the smaller the sample, the milder the disease. J Hepatol 2003;39:239-44. Poster Presentation Details Title: Evaluating the correlation between portal pressure, collagen proportional area, and α-smooth muscle actin in patients with portal hypertension due to MASH cirrhosis Abstract Number: 2250, SAT-089 Session: Poster, Complication of Cirrhosis, Portal Hypertension Authors: Pol Boudes, Michael Inkmann, Seth Zuckerman Date, time & location: Saturday, June 8, 2024: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM, CET Allianz MiCo, Milan Convention Center The presentation will be available for viewing by EASL attendees and will be posted on our website under the “Events & Presentations” page shortly after the congress. About Galectin Therapeutics Galectin Therapeutics is dedicated to developing novel therapies to improve the lives of patients with chronic liver disease and cancer. Galectin’s lead drug belapectin 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 metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH, formerly known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, or NASH) with cirrhosis, the most advanced form of MASH-related fibrosis. Liver cirrhosis is one of the most pressing medical needs and a significant drug development opportunity. Additional development programs are in treatment of combination immunotherapy for advanced head and neck cancers 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 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,” “look forward,” “believe,” “hope” 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 MASH, formerly known as NASH, 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 Company’s current clinical trial and any future clinical studies 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 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 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 December 31, 2023, 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 Investors Relations Contacts: Kevin Gardner kgardner@lifesciadvisors.com Chris Calabrese ccalabrese@lifesciadvisors.com Galectin Therapeutics and its associated logo is a registered trademark of Galectin Therapeutics Inc. Belapectin is the USAN assigned name for Galectin Therapeutics’ galectin-3 inhibitor belapectin.