Galectin Therapeutics Inc Announces Publication of Navigate Phase 2B Trial Results for Belapectin

Published: 2026-05-11 14:06:13 ET GALT

Published on 05/11/2026 at 02:06 pm EDT

Galectin Therapeutics Inc. announced the publication of results from its NAVIGATE Phase 2b clinical trial evaluating belapectin in patients with MASH cirrhosis and portal hypertension in AASLD flagship journal Hepatology. The manuscript, titled ?Efficacy and Safety of Belapectin for the Prevention of Esophageal Varices in Patients with MASH Cirrhosis: The Randomized, Placebo-Controlled NAVIGATE Trial,? is now available online and available as an open-access publication.

The NAVIGATE trial evaluated belapectin, a galectin-3 inhibitor, in patients with MASH cirrhosis and portal hypertension without esophageal varices at baseline. Results demonstrated that belapectin 2 mg/kg was associated with a numerical reduction in the development of new varices compared to placebo in the full analysis set, with a statistically significant reduction observed in the per-protocol population. Key markers of fibrosis including Liver Stiffness Measure results were aligned with the clinical finding belapectin was generally safe and well tolerated.

The manuscript highlights: Numerical reduction in incidence of new esophageal varices with belapectin 2 mg/kg compared to placebo; Statistically significant reduction in the per-protocol population; Supportive changes in non-invasive markers of portal hypertension and fibrosis including LSM and ELF; Favorable safety and tolerability profile. Belapectin targets galectin-3, a key mediator of fibrosis and inflammation, and is being developed as a potential therapy to address complications of MASH cirrhosis. The full manuscript is available online and can be accessed freely given its open-access status.

NAVIGATE was a global, randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 2b trial evaluating belapectin in patients with MASH cirrhosis and portal hypertension without esophageal varices at baseline. The study assessed the development of varices and other clinically relevant outcomes over an 18-month treatment period.