Galectin Therapeutics(GALT)2025-05-15 11:50Clinical Trials and Efficacy - The company has completed randomizations totaling 357 patients in the NAVIGATE trial, a Phase 2b/3 clinical study evaluating the safety and efficacy of belapectin for preventing esophageal varices in NASH cirrhosis patients [97]. - In the intent-to-treat population (N=355), the incidence of varices was reduced by 43.2% in the belapectin 2 mg/kg dose group compared to placebo, although the composite endpoint did not reach statistical significance [98]. - In the per-protocol population (n=287), the incidence of varices was reduced by 49.3% in the belapectin 2 mg/kg dose group, with a p-value of less than 0.05 [98]. - In the U.S. cohort (n=186), the incidence of varices was significantly reduced by 68.1% in patients treated with belapectin 2 mg compared to placebo (4 out of 60 vs 13 out of 62) [98]. - The Phase 2b NASH-CX trial enrolled 162 patients with compensated cirrhosis and portal hypertension, evaluating belapectin's safety and efficacy [113]. - In the NASH-CX trial, the mean change in hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) was -0.37 mm Hg for the 2 mg/kg LBM dose and -0.42 mm Hg for the 8 mg/kg LBM dose, compared to a 0.3 mm Hg change in placebo [114]. - In patients without esophageal varices at baseline, the 2 mg/kg LBM dose of belapectin showed a statistically significant reduction in HVPG of -1.08 mm Hg (p<0.01) [115]. - The NASH-CX trial demonstrated a 0% incidence of new varices in the 2 mg/kg LBM group compared to 18% in the placebo group, indicating a significant clinical benefit [117]. - The NAVIGATE trial reported a 43.2% reduction in the incidence of varices in the belapectin 2 mg/kg group compared to placebo, although the composite endpoint did not reach statistical significance [122]. - In the per-protocol population of the NAVIGATE trial, the incidence of varices was reduced by 49.3% in the belapectin 2 mg/kg group (p<0.05) [122]. - The NAVIGATE trial showed a significant reduction of 68.1% in the incidence of varices in U.S. patients treated with belapectin 2 mg/kg (p=0.02) [122]. Safety Profile - The safety profile of belapectin remains encouraging, with rates of adverse events and serious adverse events comparable to placebo, and no drug-related serious adverse events reported in the NAVIGATE trial [99]. - The safety profile of belapectin in the NAVIGATE trial was comparable to placebo, with no drug-related serious adverse events reported [123]. - The Hepatic Impairment Study indicated that belapectin exposure did not increase with the degree of hepatic insufficiency, supporting its safety profile [130]. Financials and Expenses - Research and development expenses for Q1 2025 were 1,569,000 or 19.5% compared to Q1 2024 [136]. - Clinical activities expenses decreased from 4,466,000 in Q1 2025, primarily due to the timing of expenditures related to the NAVIGATE clinical trial [137]. - General and administrative expenses decreased by 1,594,000 in Q1 2024 to 7.4 million in unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, with an additional 4,415,000 to 12,105,000 for Q1 2024 [142]. - The company has raised a net total of $314.5 million from public and private offerings since its inception [141]. Product Development and Future Plans - The company has a lead product candidate, belapectin, which has shown promise in treating liver fibrosis, severe skin disease, and cancer, particularly focusing on NASH cirrhosis and head and neck cancer [107]. - The company is pursuing a development pathway for belapectin in immuno-oncology, having filed a new IND with the FDA for advanced or metastatic head and neck cancer in combination with a PD-1 inhibitor [104]. - The company plans to file a Phase 2 trial with the FDA for belapectin in combination with an immune checkpoint inhibitor targeting recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer [134]. - The company continues to analyze data from approximately 55 patients who completed 36 months of treatment, which may attract interest from potential strategic partners [100]. - The company has established a joint venture subsidiary, Galectin Sciences LLC, to develop small molecules that inhibit galectin-3, potentially expanding the uses of galectin-3 inhibitors beyond belapectin [103]. Combination Therapies - The Phase 1b trial combining belapectin with pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA) showed a 50% objective response rate in advanced melanoma and a 33% response rate in head and neck cancer patients [133]. - The combination of belapectin with pembrolizumab may reduce autoimmune side effects associated with pembrolizumab [133]. Challenges and Limitations - The company is unable to provide accurate estimates for the costs and timing of bringing a drug candidate to market due to numerous variables [138].