belapectin

Belapectin is a proprietary, carbohydrate-based polysaccharide polymer that functions as a galectin inhibitor, with primary activity against galectin-3 and some affinity for galectin-1. It is composed of galacturonic acid, galactose, arabinose, rhamnose, and smaller amounts of other sugars[2][5]. Belapectin binds to the carbohydrate recognition domain of extracellular galectins—especially galectin-3—disrupting their function and potentially inducing apoptosis in target cells through mitochondrial and caspase activation[1][8]. Galectins are implicated in cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis resistance, tumor angiogenesis, immune evasion, and fibrotic processes. Belapectin’s main clinical focus has been on metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH; formerly NASH) with cirrhosis and portal hypertension. It has also been investigated for antifibrotic effects in liver disease as well as antineoplastic activity in combination with immunotherapies for melanoma and other cancers[2][4][5][6]. The drug is covered by patent protection through 2035. Developed by Galectin Therapeutics, Providence Cancer Center, and Providence Health & Services.

Brand names

Belapectin

Other names

galactoarabino-rhamnogalacturonate