What Galectin Therapeutics does

Galectin Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company founded in 2000 and listed on NASDAQ under the ticker GALT, headquartered in Norcross, Georgia (Delaware-incorporated). The company develops novel therapies targeting galectin proteins, with its lead drug candidate belapectin (GR-MD-02) — a proprietary galactoarabino-rhamnogalacturonan polysaccharide polymer that binds and inhibits galectin-3 — being advanced primarily for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Belapectin is currently being evaluated in the NAVIGATE Phase 2b/3 clinical trial at approximately 130 sites across 12 countries, with Phase 2b results published in Hepatology in May 2026 and FDA alignment on a Phase 3 protocol achieved in June 2026; a Phase 3 protocol filing is planned for Q3 2026. The molecule carries FDA Fast Track designation and is protected by composition-of-matter, methods-of-use, and methods-of-production patents extending through at least 2035.

The company is pre-revenue with no commercialized products and is funded primarily by Chairman Richard E. Uihlein, who has provided approximately $100 million in convertible debt and credit facilities between 2021 and 2025, with the most recent December 2025 facility extending cash runway through at least March 2027. Beyond the MASH cirrhosis lead indication, Galectin Therapeutics runs exploratory programs in cancer immunotherapy (combination trials with KEYTRUDA and Yervoy showing a 50% objective response rate in advanced melanoma versus 33% for KEYTRUDA alone), psoriasis (Phase 2a), and atopic dermatitis, all of which the company intends to out-license. Discovery efforts include Galectin Sciences, a collaboration with SBH Sciences to develop oral small-molecule galectin inhibitors, and academic collaborations with the University of Georgia and University of Minnesota.

Galectin's go-to-market model is enterprise-biopharma: the company runs an international Phase 2b/3 trial via Covance as CRO, pursues FDA regulatory alignment, and intends to seek large-pharma co-development and commercialization partnerships for belapectin upon Phase 3 progression. The addressable market is large — over 115 million people worldwide have MASH, and the MASH treatment market is projected to reach $8.6 billion by 2030 at a 22% CAGR. The company has 11–50 employees, presents at investor and scientific conferences (H.C. Wainwright, AASLD, EASL), and publishes in peer-reviewed journals to support both investor positioning and clinical credibility.

Name

Galectin Therapeutics

Legal name

Galectin Therapeutics Inc.

Website

https://galectintherapeutics.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Galectin Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing belapectin (GR-MD-02), a proprietary galectin-3 inhibitor, primarily for MASH cirrhosis patients at risk of esophageal varices, with exploratory programs in cancer immunotherapy, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

MASH cirrhosis biopharmaceuticals

akta.pro primary industry

Rare Gastroenterology & Hepatology Disorder Therapies (HLAIAIAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Gastroenterology & Hepatology Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAI)

Keywords

• Galectin-3 inhibitors
• MASH cirrhosis therapeutics
• Carbohydrate-based drugs
• Fibrotic disease treatment
• Cancer immunotherapy combinations

Headquarters

HQ city

Norcross

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Drug Development / Future Product Revenue: Pre-revenue clinical stage company. The company is developing belapectin for MASH cirrhosis and cancer immunotherapy. Revenue would be generated through future product sales following regulatory approval. The company also seeks partners as programs advance requiring greater resources.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Galectin Therapeutics is developing belapectin (GR-MD-02), a proprietary carbohydrate-based galectin-3 inhibitor, as a disease-modifying therapy for MASH cirrhosis and portal hypertension. The company runs the NAVIGATE Phase 2b/3 clinical program across approximately 130 sites in 12 countries and pursues additional exploratory programs combining belapectin with checkpoint inhibitors (KEYTRUDA, Yervoy) in advanced melanoma and head and neck cancer, as well as in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.

Product overview

Galectin Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing novel therapies targeting galectin proteins for chronic liver disease and cancer. The company's lead product is belapectin (GR-MD-02), a proprietary carbohydrate-based galectin-3 inhibitor. The core product portfolio centers on belapectin's development for MASH cirrhosis (NAVIGATE clinical trial program), with additional programs in cancer immunotherapy (combining with KEYTRUDA and Yervoy), psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis. Discovery collaborations focus on developing follow-on galectin inhibitors through partnerships with academic institutions and biotech companies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Belapectin (GR-MD-02) Proprietary carbohydrate-based galectin-3 inhibitor drug candidate (galactoarabino-rhamnogalacturonan polysaccharide polymer) being developed as a disease-modifying therapy for MASH cirrhosis with portal hypertension, with additional programs in cancer immunotherapy, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis. Binds galectin-1 and galectin-3 with greater affinity for galectin-3.
• NAVIGATE Clinical Trial Program International seamless Phase 2b/3 clinical trial evaluating belapectin in MASH cirrhosis patients with clinical signs of portal hypertension at risk of developing esophageal varices. Adapted following FDA feedback so Stage 1 is analyzed as a stand-alone trial, with Phase 3 protocol filing planned for Q3 2026.
• Cancer Immunotherapy Program Investigator-initiated combination immunotherapy clinical trials evaluating belapectin with checkpoint inhibitors (KEYTRUDA/pembrolizumab and Yervoy/ipilimumab) for advanced melanoma and head and neck cancer. Phase 1 trial showed a 50% objective response rate in advanced melanoma with belapectin + KEYTRUDA versus 33% for KEYTRUDA alone.
• Psoriasis Program Exploratory Phase 2a clinical program of belapectin in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, demonstrating positive antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory biomarker trends. The company is actively seeking a development partner for this indication.
• Atopic Dermatitis Program Small open-label investigator-initiated study of belapectin in atopic dermatitis (eczema), demonstrating 64-74% reduction in EASI score after 3-6 doses. The company is seeking a development partner to advance this indication.
• Galectin Sciences Discovery Collaborations Drug discovery collaborations through Galectin Sciences with SBH Sciences (Natick, MA) to discover small molecule, non-carbohydrate galectin inhibitors for potential oral therapies, and with the Complex Carbohydrate Research Center at the University of Georgia (Dr. Geert-Jan Boons' laboratory) for new carbohydrate-based galectin-targeting molecules. Also includes collaboration with Kevin Mayo at the University of Minnesota examining chemical interactions of belapectin with the galectin receptor.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50% objective response rate in advanced melanoma with belapectin + KEYTRUDA vs 33% for KEYTRUDA alone
• +3 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CovancecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCovance serves as the Contract Research Organization (CRO) for the NAVIGATE Phase 2b/3 clinical trial, providing clinical trial management services. Covance is a leading global drug development services company.
• SBH Sciences (Natick, MA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGalectin Sciences collaboration established with SBH Sciences to discover small molecule, non-carbohydrate molecules that can inhibit galectin molecules for development of oral therapies.
• Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of GeorgiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative drug discovery program with Dr. Geert-Jan Boons' laboratory focused on discovery of new carbohydrate molecules for therapy of diseases where galectin proteins play a major role, including cancer, and inflammatory and fibrotic disorders.
• Kevin Mayo (University of Minnesota)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Kevin Mayo at the University of Minnesota examining chemical interactions of belapectin (GR-MD-02) and other molecules with the galectin receptor.
• Providence Portland Medical Center (Earle A. Chiles Research Institute)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvidence Portland Medical Center conducted investigator-initiated clinical trials of belapectin in combination with KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) and Yervoy (ipilimumab) for metastatic melanoma and head and neck cancer. Phase 1 trial data showed a 50% objective response rate in advanced melanoma with belapectin + KEYTRUDA. The center filed the IND application and continues to fund and conduct investigator-initiated clinical trials.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Madrigal Pharmaceuticals: Madrigal developed Rezdiffra (resmetirom), the first FDA-approved drug for MASH (with moderate-to-advanced fibrosis). Most directly comparable competitor to Galectin Therapeutics, both targeting the MASH disease space with liver-directed therapies; Rezdiffra's approval establishes regulatory precedent and competitive benchmark for belapectin.
• Akero Therapeutics: Akero is developing efruxifermin (an FGF21 analog) for MASH, including compensated cirrhosis (F4). Comparable clinical-stage MASH peer with a fibrosis/cirrhosis focus, competing for the same patient population and clinical investigators as belapectin's NAVIGATE program.
• 89bio: 89bio is developing pegozafermin (FGF21 analog) for MASH including in cirrhotic patients. Direct peer in the MASH cirrhosis treatment landscape with a similarly staged clinical program and similar target physician audience.
• Inventiva: Inventiva is developing lanifibranor, a pan-PPAR agonist for MASH. Clinical-stage MASH-focused peer with similar regulatory positioning and competing for partnership and capital in the same disease space.
• NGM Biopharmaceuticals: NGM developed aldafermin (FGF19 analog) for MASH and is pursuing liver disease therapies. Comparable clinical-stage peer in MASH drug development with similar scale and partnership orientation.
• Viking Therapeutics: Viking is developing VK2809 and other candidates for MASH and metabolic liver disease. Clinical-stage peer competing in the MASH fibrosis/cirrhosis space with similar investor and partnership dynamics.
• Intercept Pharmaceuticals: Intercept developed obeticholic acid (OCALIVA) for MASH and primary biliary cholangitis. Direct peer in liver disease drug development; while Intercept's lead MASH program faced regulatory setbacks, the company represents a comparable regulatory and clinical development pathway for belapectin.

Emerging players

• Terns Pharmaceuticals: Terns is developing TERN-501 (THR-β agonist) and combination therapies for MASH. Emerging clinical-stage peer in MASH with an overlapping target indication and similar partnership-driven development model.

Broad incumbents

• Novo Nordisk: Novo Nordisk's semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy) is being studied extensively for MASH and reshaping the treatment landscape. A broad incumbent whose GLP-1 franchise is potentially redefining MASH therapy standards and competitive context for belapectin's commercial positioning.
• Eli Lilly: Eli Lilly is developing tirzepatide for MASH and is the dominant incumbent in the metabolic disease space overlapping with MASH cirrhosis patients. Represents the major competitive threat from GLP-1/GIP incumbents to belapectin's addressable market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/GalectinGALT
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/galectin-therapeutics

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds16 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Galectin Therapeutics