Galectin Therapeutics (GALT) 8-K Other Events

Exhibit 99.1

GALECTIN THERAPEUTICS SUBMITS PHASE 3NASH-RX PROTOCOL IN NASH CIRRHOSIS TO FDA

NORCROSS, Ga. (August 5, 2019) – Galectin Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: GALT), the leading developer of therapeutics that target galectin proteins, today announced it has submitted for assessment the Phase 3 protocol for using belapectin(GR-MD-02) for the treatment of compensatednon-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) cirrhosis without esophageal varices (theNASH-RX trial). The plans were put forward via a Type C Written Response Only submission to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with the goal of finalizing the Phase 3 protocol and initiating the clinical trial in the fourth quarter of this year.

Galectin provided its Phase 3 protocol and statistical analysis plan for FDA review. In support of the Phase 3 protocol, at the request of the Agency, Galectin has also submitted its current clinical development plan, a draft Phase 4 study synopsis, a draft SAP for the Phase 4 study, an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) procedure manual to standardize centralized evaluation of the primary and key secondary esophageal varices endpoints. Additional components of the submission are an updated Investigator Brochure suitable for international studies, as well as complete responses to the FDA’s comments from the previous meeting, including the justification for dose selection and foregoing a dedicated hepatic impairment study.

“The Galectin team is excited about the submission of the Phase 3NASH-RX protocol, and the other requested information including the draft Phase 4 synopsis to the FDA. We have traveled a long road to get to this point, and we are proud of the tremendous effort put forth by the entire team, both inside and outside the company. This is a momentous milestone in our development of belapectin for the treatment of NASH cirrhosis,” said Harold Shlevin, Ph.D., president and CEO of Galectin.

“After months of thorough evaluation and consideration of six top contract research organizations (CROs) in a rigorous bid defense process, we selected a leading global CRO, with deep experience in NASH cirrhosis and operations in more than 60 countries worldwide, to partner with us on our Phase 3 program,” continued Dr. Shlevin. “Our CRO’s extensive experience in conducting clinical trials in our therapeutic area was certainly an important consideration in evaluating CROs. We are particularly impressed by its work with clinical trials involving assessment and adjudication of video endoscopies, the critical variable of the primary endpoint in our Phase 3 trial. The CRO has already begun extensive work on site and vendor startup activities. We are also including a NASH-specific site network to accelerate site startup and patient enrollment for this trial. The global medical team at our CRO, together with our twoco-primary investigators, Dr. Naga Chalasani and Dr. Stephen Harrison, who are key opinion leaders in NASH, dedicated considerable time and effort to design and optimize the study design for success and maximize the likelihood of attracting and retaining patients during the two years of extensive assessments and treatments. With the continued support of the medical, patient, and investment communities we are excited to be advancing this new drug toward treating the millions of people globally with NASH cirrhosis.”

In a joint statement, Drs. Harrison and Chalasani said, “We are honored to have been chosen asco-principal investigators on this very important study. Having worked with Galectin Therapeutics in prior trials, we are encouraged by the results achieved in preclinical and clinical studies which support further testing belapectin to improve outcomes in patients with NASH cirrhosis in a registration trial. In addition, we have been actively involved in the design of these upcoming trials and believe that this study could further the understanding of NASH and the roleGalectin-3 inhibition may play in the treatment of this growing epidemic.”

TheNASH-RX trial is designed as an international, multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group, Phase 3 study with approximately 500 patients at up to 128 sites in 11 countries in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The study is designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of two doses of belapectin for the treatment of compensated NASH cirrhosis with clinical evidence of clinically significant portal hypertension without esophageal varices. Enrollment is expected to commence in the fourth quarter of 2019 with an estimated12-14 months to achieve full enrollment. The treatment period for Phase 3 is two years and topline data readout is expected in late 2022.

About Belapectin(GR-MD-02)

Belapectin(GR-MD-02) is a complex carbohydrate drug that targetsgalectin-3, a critical protein in the pathogenesis of fatty liver disease and fibrosis.Galectin-3 plays a major role in diseases that involve scarring of organs including fibrotic disorders of the liver, lung, kidney, heart and vascular system. The drug binds to galectin proteins and disrupts their function. Preclinical data in animals have shown thatGR-MD-02 has robust treatment effects in reversing liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.

About Fatty Liver Disease with Advanced Fibrosis and Cirrhosis

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), also known as fatty liver disease, has become a common disease of the liver with the rise in obesity rates. NASH is estimated to affect up to 28 million people in the U.S. Fatty liver disease is characterized by the presence of fat in the liver along with inflammation and damage in people who consume little or no alcohol. Over time, patients with fatty liver disease can develop fibrosis, or scarring of the liver, and it is estimated that as many as1-2 million individuals in the U.S. will develop cirrhosis, a severe liver disease for which liver transplantation is the only treatment available. Approximately 6,300 liver transplants are performed annually in the U.S. There are no drug therapies approved for the treatment of liver fibrosis.

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 atwww.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 Galectin’s development program for belapectin will lead to the first therapy for the treatment of fatty liver disease with cirrhosis and those regarding the hope that our lead compounds will be successful in the treatment of severe atopic dermatitis,moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and 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 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 currently planned clinical trial 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 completely 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 Form10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, 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:

Galectin Therapeutics Inc.

Jack W. Callicutt

Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary

(678)620-3186

ir@galectintherapeutics.com

Media Contact:

Gregory FCA

Rachel Giltz

(215)297-3607

rachel@gregoryfca.com

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