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Norcross Today
By the People, for the People
Galectin Therapeutics Highlights Belapectin Data in MASH Cirrhosis KOL Event
Company eyes next steps for potential treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis cirrhosis
Mar. 19, 2026 at 10:34am
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Galectin Therapeutics (NASDAQ:GALT) 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
MASH cirrhosis is a progressive, life-threatening condition that can lead to hepatic decompensation, liver failure, and the need for transplant, and has become the leading indication for liver transplant in the U.S. Galectin-3 is a driver of fibrosis, and targeting it with belapectin has shown promise in reducing fibrosis and inflammation in animal and human studies.
The details
The KOL event featured presentations from Galectin's chief medical officer, Khurram Jamil, as well as experts Dr. Naga Chalasani and Dr. Naim Alkhouri. They discussed data from Galectin's prior phase 2b study (GT-026) and the ongoing NAVIGATE trial, which is evaluating belapectin in patients with NASH cirrhosis and portal hypertension. The data showed a potential benefit of belapectin 2 mg/kg in reducing the development of new esophageal varices, a key complication of portal hypertension. Biomarker analyses also suggested improvements in liver stiffness, fibrosis markers, and risk of decompensation with belapectin treatment.
- Galectin hosted the virtual KOL event on March 19, 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. The company's lead product candidate is belapectin, a galectin-3 inhibitor being evaluated in Phase 2 clinical trials for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with cirrhosis.
Khurram Jamil
The chief medical officer of Galectin Therapeutics.
Dr. 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 phase 2b study and the ongoing NAVIGATE trial.
Dr. 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.
What they’re saying
“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”
— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident
What’s next
Galectin plans to continue sharing updates on regulatory progress for belapectin in the coming weeks and months as the company focuses on advancing discussions with regulators and identifying a partner to move the program forward.
The takeaway
Galectin's belapectin has shown promise in reducing the development of esophageal varices and improving biomarkers of liver fibrosis in patients with NASH cirrhosis and portal hypertension, a population with substantial unmet medical need and no approved pharmacologic therapies. The company is now working to advance the program and identify a partner to support further development.
