NORCROSS, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 26, 2012--
Galectin Therapeutics (NASDAQ: GALT), the leading developer of
therapeutics that target galectin proteins to treat fibrosis and cancer,
today announced that it has received a notice of allowance from the U.S.
Patent and Trademark Office for a divisional patent of Patent Number
8,236,780 “Galactose-prolonged polysaccharides in a formulation for
antifibrotic therapies”. The patent covers key methods of derivation and
use for the Company’s galactomannan-based carbohydrate galectin
inhibitor compounds, for use in patients with chronic liver disease
associated with the development of fibrosis, established liver fibrosis
or end-stage scarring, or cirrhosis. Fibrotic disease of the liver is
highly prevalent in the population because all chronic liver diseases,
including viral hepatitis, fatty liver and alcohol abuse, result in
fibrosis of the liver for which there are no currently approved
pharmaceutical therapies.
“This patent broadens Galectin Therapeutics’ intellectual property to
include two distinct classes of galectin inhibitors for the treatment of
liver fibrosis, a highly prevalent and critical medical condition with
no approved treatments other than transplantation,” said Peter G.
Traber, MD, President, CEO and CMO of Galectin Therapeutics. “The
intellectual property protection for our galactomannan (GM)-based
compounds augments our IP portfolio, which already contains coverage for
galacto-rhamnogalacturonan (GR)-based compounds, thus enabling a
pipeline of candidates with drugs from each class that can be evaluated
for the treatment of fibrosis.”
“GM-CT-01, our first galactomannan-based compound, has demonstrated an
excellent safety profile in over 100 patients and could be moved rapidly
forward in Phase 2 clinical trials in fibrosis,” commented Traber.
“GM-CT-01 could be useful as a follow-on compound to GR-MD-02, our lead
clinical compound in fibrosis, for stand-alone or combination
therapeutic approaches. Preclinical results of both our GM- and GR-based
candidates have shown reversal of fibrosis in rodent models of disease.”
The major claim is for a method of obtaining the galectin inhibitor
compound, obtaining a composition for parenteral administration in an
acceptable pharmaceutical carrier and administering to a subject having
at least one of the following: chronic liver disease associated with the
development of fibrosis, established liver fibrosis or cirrhosis. The
use covers inhibiting or slowing the progression of fibrosis or the
reversal of fibrosis.
About Galectin Therapeutics
Galectin Therapeutics (NASDAQ: GALT) 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, key mediators of biologic function. We are leveraging
extensive scientific and development expertise as well as established
relationships with external sources to achieve cost effective and
efficient development. We are pursuing a clear development pathway to
clinical enhancement and commercialization for our lead compounds in
liver fibrosis and cancer. Additional information is available at www.galectintherapeutics.com.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains, in addition to historical information,
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 our current
expectations and are subject to factors and uncertainties which could
cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the
statements. Factors that could cause our actual performance to differ
materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements
include, among others: incurrence of operating losses since our
inception, uncertainty as to adequate financing of our operations,
extensive and costly regulatory oversight that could restrict or prevent
product commercialization, inability to achieve commercial product
acceptance, inability to protect our intellectual property, dependence
on strategic partnerships, product competition, and others stated in
risk factors contained in our SEC filings. We cannot assure that we have
identified all risks or that others may emerge which we do not
anticipate. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking
statements. Although subsequent events may cause our views to change, we
disclaim any obligation to update forward-looking statements.
Source: Galectin Therapeutics
Galectin Therapeutics Inc.
Peter G. Traber, MD, 678-620-3186
President,
CEO, & CMO
ir@galectintherapeutics.com
