Galectin Therapeutics reports DSMB concludes NAVIGATE can continue as designed

Galectin Therapeutics reported the positive outcome of its fourth data and safety monitoring board meeting for NAVIGATE, its seamless, adaptive, Phase 2b/3 study of belapectin in patients with portal hypertension caused by non-alcoholic steatohepatitis liver cirrhosis. NAVIGATE is the first study of its kind and is a global effort that randomized 357 patients in 14 countries on five continents. The main efficacy objective is the primary prevention of esophageal varices. Interim topline data from the Phase 2b portion of NAVIGATE is expected in the fourth quarter of 2024. Patients enrolled in the study have liver cirrhosis caused by NASH and, because of the advancing cirrhotic process, have already developed portal hypertension but have not yet developed esophageal varices as a complication of portal hypertension. Portal hypertension is the consequence of the unrelenting inflammatory and fibrotic process occurring in the liver and dramatically increases the risk of developing esophageal varices, a potentially life-threatening complication of liver cirrhosis. The objective of this fourth independent DSMB was to further review the emerging tolerance and safety profiles of belapectin. Based on its deliberation, which included an unblinded review of the data collected thus far, the DSMB concluded that NAVIGATE can continue as designed, without modifications.