BOSTON, May 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Galecto, Inc. (NASDAQ: GLTO), a clinical-stage biotechnology company and world leader in galectin biology focused on the development of novel treatments for fibrosis and cancer, today announced it will present a poster at the upcoming ATS 2023 International Conference taking place on May 19-24 in Washington, D.C. The poster shows new data on GB0139 in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patient-derived lung samples.

The poster, entitled: “The Anti-Fibrotic Effect of GB0139, a Small Molecule Galectin-3 Inhibitor, in Precision Cut Lung Slices from Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Tissue,” showed GB0139 effected a concentration-dependent reduction in markers of fibrosis (Co1α1, hyaluronic acid, TIMP-1, MMP-7), in comparison to currently approved IPF therapies, pirfenidone and nintedanib.

GB0139 is an inhaled, small molecule inhibitor of galectin-3 and is currently being investigated in Galecto’s Phase 2b trial for the treatment of IPF (NCT03832946).

“We are very pleased to present additional data on our small molecule GB0139 at this prestigious conference, as it continues to validate and support our development in IPF,” said Hans Schambye, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Galecto. “We believe the new data from IPF patient-derived lung samples compares well with the approved therapies in this disease model. We look forward to announcing topline results from our Phase 2b GALACTIC-1 trial in August 2023, where we plan to report 52-week data, including the key regulatory endpoint of rate of decline of forced vital capacity (FVC), of GB0139 in IPF patients.”

Details for the poster presentation is as follows:

Title: The Anti-Fibrotic Effect of GB0139, a Small Molecule Galectin-3 Inhibitor, in Precision Cut Lung Slices from Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Tissue
Session: A67- BIOMARKERS, MEDIATORS, AND TRANSLATIONAL MODELS FOR ILD
Date: Sunday, May 21, 2023
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:15 PM ET
Location: Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Area J, Hall C (Lower Level)

Following the poster session at the ATS International Conference, the poster will be available on the Scientific Conferences page of Galecto’s investor relations website at https://ir.galecto.com/news-and-events/scientific-events.

About Galecto

Galecto is a clinical stage company incorporated in the U.S. that is developing small molecule-based inhibitors of galectin-3 and LOXL2. Galecto has multiple ongoing Phase 2 clinical programs in fibrosis and cancer, including (i) an inhaled galectin-3 modulator (GB0139) in a Phase 2b trial for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; (ii) an orally active LOXL2 inhibitor (GB2064) in a Phase 2 trial for the treatment of myelofibrosis; (iii) an orally active galectin-3 inhibitor (GB1211) in a Phase 1b/2a trial in liver cirrhosis; and (iv) an orally active galectin-3 inhibitor (GB1211) in combination with atezolizumab (Tecentriq®) in a separate Phase 2 trial for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.

Galecto intends to use its website as a means of disclosing material non-public information. For regular updates about Galecto, visit www.galecto.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements include statements about the tolerability and efficacy of galectin-1 and galectin-3 inhibitor product candidates. The words “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “project,” “potential,” “continue,” “target” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. For such statements, Galecto claims the protection of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual events or results may differ materially from Galecto's expectations. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties related to the development of Galecto’s product candidates and their therapeutic potential, having adequate funds and their use, and those disclosed in Galecto’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including, but not limited to, Galecto’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC on March 9, 2023. These forward-looking statements represent Galecto's judgment as of the time of this release. Galecto disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements, other than as may be required under applicable law.

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