Galectin Therapeutics Hosted International Conference on Galectins and Disease

NEWTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Galectin Therapeutics (NASDAQ: GALT), the leading developer of therapeutics that target galectin proteins to treat fibrosis and cancer, today announced the proceedings of an international galectin meeting, hosted by Galectin Therapeutics and held at the Harvard Club in Boston, MA, on September 17-19, has been accepted for publication by the American Chemical Society. The book, entitled “Galectins and Disease: Implications for Targeted Therapeutics”, is expected to be published in early 2013 and is edited by Dr. Anatole A. Klyosov, Chief Scientist and Founder, and Dr. Peter G. Traber, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Medical Officer, both of Galectin Therapeutics.

“In fact, one of the speakers indicated that fibrosis of these organs, the ultimate cause of organ failure, accounts for 45% of all mortality in the United States.”

“Presentations by international experts in galectin biology and disease confirmed the critical importance of galectin proteins in organ fibrosis and cancer,” said Dr. Traber. “We are pleased that our preclinical data and development programs in liver fibrosis and melanoma were well represented and received by the scientists at the meeting. It was broadly agreed by the participants that this decade will herald the realization of galectin-targeted therapeutics in multiple diseases.”

“In addition to the importance in cancer, the critical role of galectin-3 protein in fibrosis of multiple organs was emphasized, including liver, lung, kidney and heart,” said Dr. Traber. “In fact, one of the speakers indicated that fibrosis of these organs, the ultimate cause of organ failure, accounts for 45% of all mortality in the United States.”

The two and a half day meeting featured 50 participants and 29 presentations by experts from across the United States, Europe and Latin America. The book will include 26 chapters that cover galectin structure and basic biology, galectin mechanisms and therapeutic approaches in cancer, and the mechanisms and therapeutic approaches in inflammation and fibrosis. The focus of the presentations and discussions was how to effectively move the strong basic science in galectins into clinical trials in important human diseases.

About Galectin Therapeutics

Galectin Therapeutics (NASDAQ: GALT) 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, key mediators of biologic function. We are leveraging extensive scientific and development expertise as well as established relationships with external sources to achieve cost effective and efficient development. We are pursuing a clear development pathway to clinical enhancement and commercialization for our lead compounds in liver fibrosis and cancer. Additional information is available at www.galectintherapeutics.com.

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