Belapectin: Targeting Galectin-3

Belapectin (GR-MD-02) is a proprietary galactoarabino-rhamnogalacturonan polysaccharide polymer comprising galacturonic acid, galactose, arabinose, rhamnose and smaller amounts of other sugars. Structural studies have shown that belapectin binds to galectin-1 and galectin-3, with greater binding affinity to galectin-3. Belapectin targets extracellular galectins.

Key features include:

• A Phase 2 clinical trial of belapectin in NASH cirrhosis was the first large, randomized clinical trial of any drug to demonstrate a clinically meaningful improvement in portal hypertension or liver biopsy in patients with NASH cirrhosis without varices
• Phase 1 trial data from a study at Providence Portland Medical Center showed a 50% objective response rate in advanced melanoma with belapectin (GR-MD-02) in combination with KEYTRUDA, and a significant decrease in the frequency of suppressive MDSCs following treatment in the responding patients (on day 85 post-treatment) was observed compared to non-responders
• Low toxicity potential because carbohydrates are metabolized to relatively harmless compounds unlike other drugs that have toxic metabolites
• API inexpensive to manufacture; abundant natural starting material
• As a new chemical entity, belapectin is covered by patent protection through the year 2035.