Galectin Therapeutics announced plans for a phase 3 clinical trial of belapectin for patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis-related cirrhosis without esophageal varices, according to a press release.

“We are undertaking an adaptively designed trial that begins by confirming dose selection and the results observed in the NASH-CX trial,” Harold H. Shlevin, PhD, president and CEO of Galectin, said in the release. “An interim assessment of efficacy of belapectin, selection of an optimal dose and sizing will be conducted on an initial group of patients after 12 to 18 months of treatment, to seamlessly inform the progression to an integrated phase 3 portion of trial.”