Galecto is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing innovative treatments for cancer and severe liver diseases through the modulation of galectins, particularly galectin-3. The company leverages nearly 15 years of research in galectin biology to create product candidates that target central disease pathways, enhancing the efficacy of existing therapies. Their recent acquisition of BRM-1420, a dual ENL-YEATS and FLT3 inhibitor, exemplifies their commitment to expanding their oncology pipeline, specifically targeting multiple genetic subsets of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Galecto aims to provide safe, effective, and well-tolerated treatments that improve patients' quality of life and extend their healthy lifespan.

The scientific foundation of Galecto's approach lies in the understanding of critical disease drivers associated with various cancers and severe liver diseases. Their research highlights the significant roles of galectin-3 and the ENL-YEATS/FLT3 proteins in disease progression, particularly in conditions such as AML, melanoma, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). By targeting these proteins, Galecto's modulators offer promising new avenues for treatment, particularly for patients suffering from fibrosis and related complications. The company's pioneering work in galectin biology positions it at the forefront of developing novel therapeutic strategies for severe diseases.

United States

Galecto is a clinical stage biotechnology company committed to the development of novel small molecule therapeutics directed at biological targets which are at the heart of fibrosis, inflammation, and cancer.

Galecto was founded by leading fibrosis-focused scientists and biotech executives and is built on more than 10 years of research into galectin and fibrosis modulators. Our team has developed a deep understanding of the galectin family of proteins and the LOXL2 enzyme, and how both influence multiple biological pathways of these complex, often devastating, diseases.

Galecto is funded by Novo Holdings, OrbiMed, Ysios, HBM Healthcare Investments, Sunstone Capital, M Ventures, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Maverick Ventures, Seventure and SEED Capital. 

Cancer

Inflammatory disorders

Liver Diseases

Lung Diseases

Galecto

Fibrosis

Non-small cell lung carcinoma

Galecto is pioneering galectin field and has developed a series of orally active, specific and potent inhibitors of galectin-3. These bind to the carbohydrate recognition domain and inhibit the galectin-3 related effects on several key cell types which reduces fibrosis and cancer growth. &nbsp;Inhibition of galectin-3 reduces development of fibrosis. Galectin-3 is required for TGF-beta mediated myofibroblast activation and matrix production in liver fibrosis. Galectin-3 inhibition reduces YKL-40, a biomarker that is elevated with progressive liver fibrosis.
<a href="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1800315/000156459021000275/glto-ex991_6.htm">Source&nbsp;</a>

GB1211 (oral galectin-3 inhibitor) + TECENTRIQ

Cirrhosis

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

GB1211 (oral galectin-3 inhibitor)

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Melanoma

GB1211 is a selective oral small molecule inhibitor of galectin-3 and is chemically distinct from GB0139. We believe GB1211 has the potential to treat multiple types of fibrosis and oncology indications. GB1211 demonstrated antifibrotic and anticancer activity in multiple preclinical models and was evaluated in a Phase 1 trial in 78 healthy volunteers. In the Phase 1 trial, GB1211 was well-tolerated and showed dose-dependent pharmacokinetics.

GB1211 (oral galectin-3 inhibitor) + pembrolizumab (Keytruda®)

Acute myeloid leukemia

Blood cancer

BRM-1420 is a potent and selective ENL-YEATS and FLT3 inhibitor of multiple genetic subsets of AML. It disrupts key oncogenic pathways by inhibiting these domains, showing potent activity in MLLr and NPM1c cell lines. Promising preclinical and in vivo results highlight its efficacy in inhibiting leukemia cell growth and extending survival in AML models. In animal models, BRM-1420 exhibited superior efficacy to both FLT3 and menin inhibitors and was shown to inhibit cell proliferation in primary AML patient samples across multiple genotypes, including MLL-r, NPM1m, cKIT+, FLT3+,&nbsp;&nbsp; TET2+, and TP53+. These mutations are often seen in AML and, in total, could account for greater than 30% of the AML patient population. Many of these mutations have proven difficult to treat with currently available regimens and therefore represent a significant unmet medical need. The Company believes, based on preclinical data, that BRM-1420 could be additive or synergistic when used in combination with the current standard of care (azacitidine, venetoclax, cytarabine, gilteritinib), as well as current therapies under development, such as menin inhibitors.

GB3226  (formerly BRM-1420)

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Lung disease

Pulmonary fibrosis

GB0139 inhibits fibrosis by targeting macrophages, fibroblasts, and epithelial cells. GB0139 reduced macrophage galectin-3 levels in lungs of IPF patients. There are dose-response effects on several fibrosis plasma biomarkers and no other therapy in development has demonstrated similar consistent effects.
<a href="https://ir.galecto.com/news-releases/news-release-details/galecto-publishes-gb0139-phase-2a-idiopathic-pulmonary-fibrosis">Source</a>

GB0139 (inhaled galectin-3 inhibitor) 

Myelofibrosis

GB2064 is a small-molecule inhibitor of the LOXL2 catalytic site, which is not an antibody approach. GB2064 therefore has the potential to avoid the in vivo target low tissue penetration and target engagement encountered by Gilead’s simtuzumab. GB2064’s superior efficacy to simtuzumabhas been observed in cell-based assays and preclinical models.
LOXL2 is an extracellular enzyme, which carries out cross-linking of collagen and elastin fibrils and thus contributes to building and strengthening of the fibrous matrix that is exaggerated in fibrotic disease.
<a href="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1800315/000156459021000275/glto-ex991_6.htm">Source</a>

Galecto

Company Details