galectin-3,
we are undertaking the focused pursuit of therapies for indications where galectin proteins have a demonstrated role in the pathogenesis of a given disease. We focus on diseases with serious, life-threatening consequences and those where current treatment options, are limited specifically in NASH
(non-alcoholic
steatohepatitis) with cirrhosis and certain cancer indications. Our strategy is to establish and implement clinical development programs that add value to our business in the shortest period of time possible and to seek strategic partners when one of our programs becomes advanced and requires significant additional resources.
Our lead
galectin-3
inhibitor is belapectin
which has been demonstrated in preclinical models to reverse liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Belapectin has the potential to treat many diseases due to
galectin-3’s
involvement in multiple key biological pathways such as fibrosis, immune cell function and immunity, cell differentiation, cell growth, and apoptosis (cell death). The importance of
galectin-3
in the fibrotic process is supported by experimental evidence. Animals with the gene responsible for
galectin-3
“knocked-out”
can no longer develop fibrosis in response to experimental stimuli compared to animals with an intact
galectin-3
gene. We are using our
galectin-3
inhibitor to treat advanced liver fibrosis and liver cirrhosis in NASH patients. We have completed two Phase 1 clinical studies, a Phase 2 clinical study in NASH patients with advanced fibrosis
(NASH-FX)
and a second Phase 2b clinical trial in NASH patients with well compensated cirrhosis
(NASH-CX)
meaning the liver is scarred but still able to perform most of its basic functions.
We are now engaged in a Phase 2b/3 clinical trial. Our study protocol was filed with the FDA on April 30, 2020 for a seamless adaptively-designed Phase 2b/3 clinical study, the NAVIGATE trial (formerly called
NASH-RX),
evaluating the safety and efficacy of its
galectin-3
inhibitor, belapectin
for the prevention of esophageal varices in patients with
non-alcoholic
steatohepatitis (NASH) cirrhosis (Further details are available at
www.clinicaltrials.gov
under study NCT04365868); this study began enrolling patients in
Q2-2020.
In September 2020, the Company received a letter from the FDA providing comments, asking questions and providing guidance on various aspects of the ongoing NAVIGATE trial.
Additionally, a study protocol entitled “A Single-dose, Open-label, Pharmacokinetic Study of
Belapectin
in Subjects With Normal Hepatic Function and Subjects With Varying Degrees of Hepatic Impairment” has been filed with the FDA to examine the effects of the drug in subjects with normal hepatic function and subjects with varying degrees of hepatic impairment (study details are listed under study NCT04332432 on
www.clinicaltrials.gov
); this study is enrolling patients.
We endeavor to leverage our scientific and product development expertise as well as established relationships with outside sources to achieve cost-effective and efficient drug development. These outside sources, amongst others, provide us with expertise in preclinical models, pharmaceutical development, toxicology, clinical trial operations, pharmaceutical manufacturing, sophisticated physical and chemical characterization, and commercial development. We also have established through our majority-owned joint venture subsidiary, Galectin Sciences LLC, a discovery program aimed at the targeted development of small molecules (generally,
non-carbohydrate)
that bind galectin proteins and may afford options for alternative means of drug delivery (e.g., oral) and as a result expand the potential uses of our
galectin-3
inhibitor compounds. Three series of composition of matter patents covering discoveries at Galectin Sciences have been filed.
We are also pursuing a development pathway to clinical enhancement and commercialization for our lead compounds in immuno-oncology for cancer therapy in collaboration with Providence Portland Cancer Center. However, our clinical development efforts are primarily focused on liver fibrosis and NASH. All of our proposed products are presently in development, including
pre-clinical
and clinical trials.
Our Drug Development Programs
Galectins are a class of proteins that are made by many cells in the body, but predominantly in cells of the immune system. As a group, these proteins are able to bind to sugar molecules that are part of other proteins, glycoproteins, in and on the cells of our body. Galectin proteins act as a kind of molecular glue, bringing together molecules that have sugars on them. Galectin proteins, in particular
galectin-3,
are known to be markedly increased in a number of important diseases including inflammatory diseases, scarring of organs (e.g. liver, lung, kidney, and heart) and cancers of many kinds. The increase in galectin protein promotes the disease and is detrimental to the patient. Published data substantiating the importance of
galectin-3
in the fibrotic process arises from gene knockout experiments in animal studies. Mice genetically altered to eliminate the
galectin-3
gene, and thus unable to produce
galectin-3,
are incapable of developing liver fibrosis in response to toxic insult to the liver and in fatty liver disease as well as development of fibrosis in other tissues.
We have one new proprietary chemical entity (NCE) in development, belapectin, which has shown promise in preclinical and early clinical studies in treatment of fibrosis, severe skin disease, and in cancer therapy. Currently we are focusing on development of belapectin intended to be used in the treatment of liver fibrosis associated with fatty liver disease (NASH) and more specifically in NASH cirrhosis. We have also leveraged our relationships with well-known investigators to demonstrate clinical effects of belapectin in treating moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, severe atopic dermatitis, and in cancer therapy in combination with immune-system modifying agent(s). Belapectin is a proprietary, patented compound derived from natural, readily available, plant-based starting materials, which, following chemical processing, exhibits the properties of binding to and inhibiting
galectin-3
proteins. A second NCE,
is a proprietary, patented compound that is made from a completely different starting source plant material and also binds and inhibits galectin proteins. Previously in clinical development for cancer indications,
compound has been explored in limited other preclinical studies.