NORCROSS, Ga., Jan. 07, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Galectin Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:GALT), the leading developer of therapeutics that target galectin proteins to treat fibrosis and cancer, announces that the year-in-review post “2015-2016, Progress and Possibilities” is now available on the company’s website in the CEO Perspectives section here. Following is the text of the post.
2015-2016, PROGRESS AND POSSIBILITIES FOR GALECTIN THERAPEUTICS
The many accomplishments at Galectin Therapeutics during 2015 ranged from incremental progress touching every aspect of our business to significant advancements with GR-MD-02. Such advancements include positive Phase 1 data that led to the initialization of three Phase 2 trials in 2015 to evaluate GR-MD-02, our lead compound, in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis, and in patients with plaque psoriasis in a proof-of-concept study.
Importantly, this progress forms the basis for numerous milestones expected in 2016 and the coming years including clinical progress, intellectual property fortification, further engagement with the investment community and ongoing outreach to educate our shareholders about our work to develop new therapies, the regulatory environment in which we operate and our target markets.
The CEO Perspectives blog was introduced last year. Authored by CEO and CMO Peter G. Traber, M.D., the blog is designed to provide scientific and technical information largely regarding our work with GR-MD-02 in layman’s language. Much of our progress and accomplishments during 2015 were chronicled in the 14 blog postings.
We were delighted that in the final days of 2015 a U.S. District Court dismissed both the federal securities class-action lawsuit and the shareholder derivative actions lawsuit filed in the summer of 2014 against Galectin and certain officers, directors and a shareholder, which had cast an inappropriate cloud over our many achievements in 2015. The Court entered final judgments of dismissals in both actions based on the Court’s finding that any further amendment of the complaints would be futile (i.e., dismissed with prejudice). Plaintiffs have the right to appeal the Court’s dismissals within 30 days. Based on the Federal Court’s rulings, Galectin is seeking dismissal of a duplicative shareholder derivative action in Nevada, which was filed after the federal actions. See press release here.
Our Clinical Programs
NASH with advanced liver fibrosis
Development of GR-MD-02 for the treatment of NASH with advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis continues to be the primary focus of our company. We completed a successful Phase 1 clinical trial and announced final data in January 2015. The Phase 1 trial demonstrated that GR-MD-02 is safe, with potential for therapeutic effect on fibrosis in NASH patients with advanced fibrosis. We found no serious adverse events and no treatment-emergent adverse events related to our drug. Furthermore, GR-MD-02 was found to be safe and well tolerated in each of the three dose-escalating cohorts of patients, who were suffering from NASH with advanced fibrosis.
These findings alone define the study as a success, but we gained additional valuable information. We found that the FibroTest® score, a composite biomarker of five different blood tests that has been correlated with the extent of liver fibrosis, was significantly reduced by GR-MD-02 treatment in the third dosing cohort of 8 mg/kg. In addition, we found that some patients in this cohort also showed a decrease in liver stiffness, which has a direct correlation with fibrosis. More information is available here.
In addition to the Phase 1 trial in NASH patients with advanced fibrosis, we reported the results of a drug-drug interaction study with GR-MD-02 and midazolam, a common sedative, which showed that in healthy volunteers there was no unfavorable interaction between the two compounds. Because many patients with chronic diseases may take other medications on an ongoing or intermittent basis, this finding is important to the commercial potential of GR-MD-02 and to the patient population that is eligible to participate in our Phase 2 program. More information is available here.
The information gleaned from the Phase 1 studies formed the basis for our Phase 2 program, which consists of two studies, one in NASH patients with advanced fibrosis (the NASH-FX trial) and the other in NASH patients with cirrhosis (the NASH-CX trial). We submitted our protocol to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the cirrhosis study in the first quarter, engaged our contract research organization and began screening patients at the end of June.
NASH-CX Trial
This study is a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group Phase 2 trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of GR-MD-02 for the treatment of liver fibrosis and resultant portal hypertension (HVPG) in patients with NASH cirrhosis. A total of 156 patients at approximately 50 sites in the U.S. will be randomized to receive either 2 mg/kg of GR-MD-02, 8 mg/kg of GR-MD-02 or placebo, with 52 patients in each arm. The primary endpoint is a reduction in HVPG. Patients will receive a total of 26 infusions every other week for one year, at which time they will be evaluated for change in HVPG compared with placebo. HVPG will be correlated with secondary endpoints of fibrosis on liver biopsy, as well as with measurement of liver stiffness via FibroScan® and assessment of liver metabolism (13C-methacetin breath test, Exalenz), which are non-invasive measures of the liver that may be used in future studies. More information is available at www.clinicaltrials.gov and here.
We are pleased with the pace of the NASH-CX study and we remain on track with enrolling the trial by the end of August 2016 and our plans to provide data readout in at the end of 2017, as we have previously indicated.
NASH-FX Trial
In September 2015 we initiated a 30-patient study with GR-MD-02 in NASH patients with advanced fibrosis, with 15 patients receiving 8 mg/kg of GR-MD-02 and 15 patients receiving placebo every other week for 16 weeks. This study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of GR-MD-02 on liver fibrosis using multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (LiverMultiScan®, Perspectum Diagnostics) as the primary endpoint and liver stiffness as assessed by magnetic resonance-elastography and FibroScan as secondary endpoints. Enrollment of this study is also proceeding as planned, with top-line data expected around the end of the third quarter of 2016. More information is available here.
Psoriasis
As we have previously reported, one of the patients participating in our Phase 1 NASH study was a long-term psoriasis sufferer, and this patient’s psoriasis cleared as the study progressed, and remained cleared for many months following the conclusion of the study. With an established theoretical pathway for how inhibition of galectin-3 might affect psoriasis, in September 2015 we began an open-label, 10-patient Phase 2a pilot study in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. We expect data readout from this study late in the third quarter of 2016. More information and background on this study is available here.
Melanoma
We continued to support independent research with GR-MD-02 in combination with two commercial melanoma drugs, as preclinical research has shown our compound enhances the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies, a new class of cancer immunotherapy drugs. GR-MD-02 is progressing through a Phase 1b study in combination with Yervoy®, and a Phase 1b study in combination with Keytruda® was initiated in the fourth quarter of 2015 with enrollment to begin early in 2016. Preclinical work in mouse cancer models with GR-MD-02 added to checkpoint inhibitors shows a boost in anti-tumor immunity, a reduction in tumor size and increased survival. Both of these studies are being conducted at the Providence Cancer Center in Portland, Oregon. Galectin is providing GR-MD-02 to the investigators, who are funding the costs of these studies. More information is available here.
In the trial combining Yervoy and GR-MD-02, two dosing cohorts have been completed and the third cohort delivering 4 mg/kg of GR-MD-02 is enrolling now. Of the seven patients that have received the combination therapy, there has been no dose-limiting toxicity. Following completion of the 4 mg/kg dose cohort, a total of 10 patients will be dosed at 8 mg/kg. Immune markers as well as tumor response are being monitored in this study to provide information on potential efficacy of the combination therapy.
Significant Presentations and Publications
Galectin’s researchers presented at several important industry meetings during the year. Dr. Traber delivered an invited presentation of the company's research with GR-MD-02 in NASH at the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) Industry Colloquium in March. He participated in the session entitled "NASH: Clinical Endpoints and Drug Development" and discussed the role of galectin-3 in organ fibrosis generally and liver fibrosis in particular, and GR-MD-02 as a galectin-3 inhibitor. He reviewed the published preclinical data showing that GR-MD-02 is effective in reversing inflammation and fibrosis in a mouse model of NASH and also in reversing cirrhosis and improving portal hypertension in a rat model of cirrhosis. He also reviewed the company's Phase 1 study results and its Phase 2 clinical program design.
In addition, preclinical research from a study led by Stefanie Linch, Ph.D. in the laboratory of tumor immunology expert William L. Redmond, Ph.D. of the Providence Cancer Center's Earle A. Chiles Research Institute was presented in November at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer's (SITC) 30th Anniversary Annual Meeting. The studies presented were conducted by the Institute in collaboration with Galectin Therapeutics. The poster presentation "Galectin-3 inhibition using novel inhibitor GR-MD-02 improves survival and immune function while reducing tumor vasculature" and an abstract was published in the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer. The poster presentation is available for review here.
Interviews with Dr. Traber appeared in a number of publications throughout 2015, including R&D Magazine in a piece entitled “Finding the Holy Grail Treatment for Fatty Livers,” available here, Obesity News Today published its Q&A article entitled “Exclusive: Dr. Peter Traber Discusses Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease,” available here, and MD Magazine conducted an online interview with Dr. Traber at the AASLD meeting. That interview can be found here.
Galectin management also participated in a number of investment conferences throughout the year, including programs for institutional investors, retail investors and family offices.
Foundational Support for Our Business
During 2015 we considerably strengthened our intellectual property portfolio and received a U.S. patent for the use of pectin compounds to reduce fibrosis in multiple diseases. This patent is particularly important because it not only permits GR-MD-02 use for NASH with fibrosis, but it covers other compounds in our pipeline and a multitude of diseases with a fibrotic etiology. We continued to build our international patent portfolio with patents issued or allowed in Israel and Australia.
We also made excellent progress with our Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls (CMC), all of which are vital to the proper conduct of our clinical trials with GR-MD-02 and are essential components of the final application to the FDA for a drug’s approval. More information on this progress during the year is available here. We reached a very significant milestone in our preclinical toxicology program, having completed chronic administration of GR-MD-02 in two animal species, allowing chronic administration in human subjects.
Lastly, we were very pleased to have completed a $9.8 million financing during the fourth quarter. This capital is expected to fund currently planned operations through the first quarter of 2017, and will be used mainly for clinical trial expenses and other research and development expenses, as well as for general corporate purposes.
Looking Ahead to 2016
We are looking forward to executing on several important milestones in 2016, with highlights including the following:
- We will continue enrollment in the NASH-CX study and work with our investigators and contract research organization to keep on our stated timelines for data readout in late 2017.
- We will continue enrollment in the NASH-FX study, and continue to expect data readout around the end of the third quarter of 2016.
- We will continue enrollment in the psoriasis Phase 2a study, with data readout also expected at the end of the third quarter of 2016.
- While we do not control the rate of enrollment of the trial, we expect data from the Providence Cancer Center’s study with Yervoy in combination with GR-MD-02 in advanced metastatic melanoma by the end of 2016.
- We expect that Providence Cancer Center will be enrolling patients in the study with GR-MD-02 in combination with Keytruda during 2016.
We are fully aware that yesterday’s accomplishments set tomorrow’s expectations, and we look forward to creating shareholder value by executing on numerous milestones during 2016. We are grateful to our long-standing, loyal shareholders for their continued support and to the hard-working staff at Galectin Therapeutics who share a unifying commitment to addressing significant unmet clinical needs in NASH, as well as in oncology and psoriasis.
About Galectin Therapeutics
Galectin Therapeutics is developing promising carbohydrate-based therapies for the treatment of fibrotic liver disease 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.
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 its lead compounds will be successful in treating liver cirrhosis and fibrosis due to fatty liver disease and in connection with cancer immunotherapy. 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. 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, 2014, 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.
Galectin Therapeutics and its associated logo is a registered trademark of Galectin Therapeutics Inc.