Galectin Therapeutics Appoints Industry Veteran Rex Horton as Executive Director of Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance

NORCROSS, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 15, 2013-- Galectin Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: GALT), the leading developer of therapeutics that target galectin proteins to treat fibrosis and cancer, today announced the appointment of Rex Horton as Executive Director of Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance. Mr. Horton is an experienced industry professional with 20 years of management and leadership experience in global regulatory affairs matters including drugs, biologics and vaccines.

"Rex Horton has broad range of regulatory affairs and quality leadership experience that is directly relevant to Galectin Therapeutics development programs, with expertise spanning preclinical development through new drug approvals in diverse therapeutic areas, including gastroenterology," said Peter G. Traber, MD, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Medical Officer of Galectin. "Rex joins us at an auspicious time in the Company's history as we are poised to submit an IND for GR-MD-02 for treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with fibrosis and expect to initiate a Phase 1 clinical trial early this year. I am therefore glad to welcome Rex to our team and expect that he will make significant contributions to Galectin Therapeutics as we continue to develop a treatment with the promise to effectively treat these common and deadly disorders."

"I am extremely pleased to be joining Galectin Therapeutics at a pivotal stage in the development of its novel carbohydrate compounds for the treatment of fibrotic disease and cancer," added Mr. Horton. "The Company has extensive scientific and development expertise within its organization, and I am impressed by the balanced strategic vision of the leadership team, which has a clear long-term focus on developing galectin inhibitors for these serious and life-threatening indications where significant unmet medical needs still exist."

Mr. Horton most recently was Director of Regulatory Affairs at Chelsea Therapeutics, where he successfully led the organization through its first NDA filing and favorable FDA Advisory Committee Meeting. In past leadership roles at Solvay Pharmaceuticals and Abbott Laboratories, he led approval efforts for key products including Androgel® Stickpack, Creon® Capsules and Luvox® CR Capsules. He has also provided chemistry, manufacturing and controls (CMC) regulatory leadership and support of INDs and NDAs, including Estrogel® and Androgel® Pump. Mr. Horton was a member of the executive leadership team that successfully implemented solutions to significant regulatory issues encountered by Solvay in its interactions with the FDA.

Mr. Horton earned his Bachelor's degree in industrial/manufacturing & systems engineering from The Georgia Institute of Technology. He is a member of the Regulatory Affairs Professional Society (RAPS), Drug Information Association (DIA) and American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS).

About Galectin Therapeutics

Galectin Therapeutics (NASDAQ: GALT) is developing promising carbohydrate-based therapies for the treatment of fibrotic liver disease and cancer based on the Company's unique understanding of galectin proteins, key mediators of biologic function. We are leveraging extensive scientific and development expertise as well as established relationships with external sources to achieve cost effective and efficient development. We are pursuing a clear development pathway to clinical enhancement and commercialization for our lead compounds in liver fibrosis and cancer. Additional information is available at www.galectintherapeutics.com.

AndroGel® and Creon® are registered trademarks of Abbott Laboratories (formerly Solvay Pharmaceuticals). Luvox® CR is a registered trademark of Abbot Products, Inc. EstroGel® is a registered trademark of Merck Canada Inc.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains, in addition to historical information, forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements relate to future events or future financial performance, and use words such as "may," "estimate," "could," "expect" and others. They are based on our current expectations and are subject to factors and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the statements. Factors that could cause our actual performance to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include, among others: incurrence of operating losses since our inception, uncertainty as to adequate financing of our operations, extensive and costly regulatory oversight that could restrict or prevent product commercialization, inability to achieve commercial product acceptance, inability to protect our intellectual property, dependence on strategic partnerships, product competition, and others stated in risk factors contained in ourSEC filings. We cannot assure that we have identified all risks or that others may emerge which we do not anticipate. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Although subsequent events may cause our views to change, we disclaim any obligation to update forward-looking statements.

Source: Galectin Therapeutics Inc.

Galectin Therapeutics Inc.
Peter G. Traber, MD, 678-620-3186
President, CEO & CMO
[email protected]