On September 17, 2019 Galectin Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: GALT), the leading developer of therapeutics that target galectin proteins, and Providence Cancer Institute reported they have received notice of issuance of U.S. Patent Number 10,398,778 titled "Method for Enhancing Specific Immunotherapies in Cancer Treatment (Press release, Galectin Therapeutics, SEP 17, 2019, View Source [SID1234539578])." The patent’s principal claims cover method of use of Galectin’s drug candidate, belapectin (GR-MD-02), as a means to enhance the effectiveness of specific immunotherapies in cancer treatment. The patent is expected to provide broad protection for the use of belapectin for compositions, methods of using and methods of manufacturing compositions used alone or in combination with other targeted immunotherapies in treating cancer. The patent coverage extends to 2033.
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"This is an important patent that protects the use of belapectin in cancer immunotherapy," said Harold Shlevin, Ph.D., CEO and President of Galectin Therapeutics. "Immunotherapy holds great potential for treating advanced cancers, but response to treatment is highly variable. Providence Cancer Institute is conducting groundbreaking research using belapectin in combination with cancer immunotherapy, with indications that belapectin may boost the effectiveness of treatment. This patent expands the IP portfolio of Galectin to capture the importance of this work for the benefit of the Company and its stockholders, and for Providence Cancer Institute."
The patent is the result of work done by Providence Cancer Institute in a Phase 1B investigator-initiated trial using belapectin in combination with KEYTRUDA to treat advanced melanoma as well as head and neck cancer. Data from this early open-label study shows a 50% objective response rate in advanced melanoma with belapectin in combination with KEYTRUDA. The published data on KEYTRUDA alone have shown an objective response rate of 33% in this patient population.
"Belapectin shows strong results when given with checkpoint blockade (anti-PD-1) immunotherapy. The response rates to combination therapy observed overall in advanced melanoma and head and neck cancer patients were better than with KEYTRUDA alone, particularly given the low response rates of anti-PD-1 monotherapy in head and neck cancer. There is a significant clinical need for better options for these patients," said William L. Redmond, Ph.D., Associate Member, Laboratory of Cancer Immunotherapy, and Director, Immune Monitoring Laboratory at the Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, a division of Providence Cancer Institute. "In addition to the encouraging clinical responses to combination therapies involving belapectin with KEYTRUDA, we continue to make progress on identifying immunological biomarkers that correlate with favorable responses."
The methods and compositions of the invention relate to the enhancement of specific immunotherapies in cancer treatment. In particular, aspects of the invention relate to novel approaches to boost immune function using a complex carbohydrate pharmaceutical compound alone or in combination with other targeted immunotherapy to increase the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy.
About Belapectin (GR-MD-02)
Belapectin (also known as GR-MD-02) is a complex carbohydrate drug that targets galectin-3, a critical protein in the pathogenesis of fatty liver disease and fibrosis. Galectin-3 plays a major role in diseases that involve scarring of organs including fibrotic disorders of the liver, lung, kidney, heart and vascular system. The drug binds to galectin-3 proteins and disrupts its function. Preclinical data in animals have shown that belapectin has robust treatment effects in reversing liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Belapectin also has robust efficacy in pre-clinical cancer models in combination with immunotherapy agents.