GALECTIN THERAPEUTICS INC. NORCROSS, Ga., Nov. 11, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Galectin Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:GALT), the leading developer of therapeutics that target galectin proteins to treat fibrosis and cancer, announces that 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 at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer's (SITC) 30th Anniversary Annual Meeting. The meeting was held November 4-8 in National Harbor, Maryland. The studies presented were conducted by the Institute in collaboration with Galectin Therapeutics.
The poster presentation is titled "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 study found that GR-MD-02 boosts the frequency and persistence of antigen-specific T cells in non-tumor bearing mice. Additionally, GR-MD-02 in combination with anti-OX40, a monoclonal antibody in clinical development that activates the immune system, improved survival in mammary carcinoma models, and in a prostate cancer model. The combination also reduced lung metastases in the mammary carcinoma model. Within the tumor, an increase in the number of CD8 and CD4 tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes was observed. The combination treatment also reduced functional tumor vasculature in the model. The poster is available for review here.
"We are pleased to have this poster presented at the recent Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer Annual Meeting," said Peter G. Traber, M.D., Galectin's chief executive officer, president and chief medical officer. "These data show that GR-MD-02 has multiple important effects on experimental cancer in mice which act in concert with other immunotherapy agents to reduce cancer size and metastasis, and improve survival. These are all effects that might be predicted from inhibiting galectin-3 in the pathophysiology of cancers (see CEO Perspective)."
He added, "This research forms the basis of the two Phase 1b studies underway at the Providence Cancer Center with GR-MD-02 in combination with the immunotherapeutic agents Yervoy® (ipilimumab) or Keytruda® (pembrolizumab) in patients with metastatic melanoma, and suggests that the effects of combination therapy may be extendable to other immunotherapy agents such as anti-OX40."
Yervoy® is a registered trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb. Keytruda® is a registered trademark of Merck.
About Robert W. Franz Cancer Research Center, Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence Cancer Center, Providence Portland Medical Center, Portland Oregon
Providence Cancer Center, a part of Providence Health & Services, offers the latest in cancer services, including diagnostic, treatment, prevention, education, support and internationally renowned research. The Robert W. Franz Cancer Research Center in the Earle A. Chiles Research Institute is a world-class research facility located within Providence Cancer Center. The Institute's main area of investigation is cancer immunotherapy, a specialized field of study focused on triggering the immune system to fight cancer. Visit www.providence.org/cancer.
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 GR-MD-02 will increase the effectiveness of a checkpoint inhibitor in the treatment of advanced refractory metastatic melanoma. Factors that could cause actual performance to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include, among others, that GR-MD-02 may not be safe or effective in combination with Keytruda or Yervoy. Moreover, Galectin may not be successful in developing effective treatments and/or obtaining the requisite approvals for the use of GR-MD-02 or any of its other drugs in development for the treatment of cancer, fatty liver disease with cirrhosis or other diseases. The Company's current clinical trials and any future clinical studies may not produce positive results in a timely fashion, if at all, and could prove 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, 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.
CONTACT: Jack Callicutt, Chief Financial Officer
(678) 620-3186
ir@galectintherapeutics.com.
LHA
Kim Golodetz
(212) 838-3777
kgolodetz@lhai.com
