Galectin Therapeutics Highlights Belapectin Data in MASH Cirrhosis KOL Event

Eyes Next Steps for Potential Treatment of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis Cirrhosis

Mar. 17, 2026 at 2:34am

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Galectin Therapeutics hosted a virtual key opinion leader (KOL) event to discuss belapectin as a potential treatment for patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) cirrhosis and portal hypertension, a population the speakers described as having substantial unmet medical need and no FDA-approved pharmacologic therapies.

Why it matters

The rising prevalence of MASH cirrhosis, driven by increasing rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes, and the lack of FDA-approved treatments highlight the significant market opportunity for an effective therapy. Belapectin, Galectin's lead product candidate, has shown promise in reducing fibrosis, inflammation, and portal pressure in animal and human studies.

The details

Galectin's chief medical officer, Khurram Jamil, said galectin-3 is upregulated in multiple chronic inflammatory conditions and is a driver of fibrosis. Belapectin, a complex carbohydrate that binds with galectin-3 receptors, has been shown to reduce its expression. The NAVIGATE trial, a 78-week study that enrolled patients with NASH cirrhosis and portal hypertension, found a numerical difference of nearly 10 percentage points lower in the incidence of new varices with the 2 mg/kg belapectin dose compared to placebo, consistent with prior findings.

  • The NAVIGATE trial was a 78-week study.
  • The data from the NAVIGATE trial was presented at the KOL event on March 16, 2026.

The players

Galectin Therapeutics

A clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development of novel therapies that target galectin proteins, which are implicated in fibrotic, inflammatory and malignant diseases.

Khurram Jamil

The chief medical officer of Galectin Therapeutics.

Naga Chalasani

A professor of medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine who provided an overview of the clinical course of cirrhosis and reviewed Galectin's prior and current clinical trials.

Naim Alkhouri

The chief academic officer at Summit Clinical Research and director of the Cirrhotic Liver Program at North Shore Gastroenterology, who reviewed biomarker data from the NAVIGATE trial.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

Galectin Therapeutics is focused on advancing discussions with regulators and identifying a partner to move the belapectin program forward, and plans to continue sharing updates on regulatory progress in the coming weeks and months.

The takeaway

The data presented at the KOL event highlights the potential of belapectin as a treatment for MASH cirrhosis, a condition with a significant unmet medical need and no FDA-approved pharmacologic therapies. The reduction in the incidence of new varices and the positive biomarker data suggest that belapectin may be able to slow the progression of this devastating disease.