Galectin Therapeutics Stock Is Trading Higher After Belapectin-Pembrolizumab Combo Study Shows Enhanced Tumor Response

Galectin Therapeutics Inc GALT has announced that a paper in the peer-reviewed Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer (JITC) published data from an ongoing Phase 1 trial evaluating Galectin's belapectin in head & neck cancer, lung cancer, and melanoma.
The study assessing belapectin combined with Merck's & Co's MRK Keytruda (pembrolizumab) is being conducted to collaborate between Galectin and Providence Cancer Institute in Portland.
As previously disclosed, an objective response of 50% in advanced metastatic melanoma and 33% in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients was observed in the study.
It compares favorably to published response rates on pembrolizumab alone.
The publication also noted that the combination was associated with fewer immune-mediated adverse events than anticipated with pembrolizumab alone.
Besides, the patient's tumor tissue analysis showed reduced monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells and increased effector memory T-cell activation in responders compared with non-responders.
An increase in baseline expression of galectin-3 positive tumor cells correlated with clinical response was also seen.
Belapectin (GR-MD-02) is a complex carbohydrate drug that targets galectin-3, a critical protein in NASH and fibrosis's pathogenesis. The company believes Galectin-3 has a significant role in cancer as well.
The drug candidate binds to galectin-3 and disrupts its function.
Price Action: GALT shares are up 24.3% at $2.69 in the premarket session on the last check Wednesday.