TEL AVIV, Israel, March 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Galmed Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (Nasdaq: GLMD) ("Galmed" or the "Company"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of a once-daily, oral therapy for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, or NASH, and other liver diseases, today reported financial results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2016, and announced new and exciting data from recently completed pre-clinical studies demonstrating Aramchol™'s potential direct effect on liver fibrosis. The data will be presented at the International Liver Congress™ 2017, to be held from April 19 to the 23rd in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

The Company will host a conference call and webcast today to discuss the financial results and to provide an update on current developments with respect to its clinical programs for Aramchol™.

"Aramchol™'s anti-steatosis effect was previously established and translated to humans in our phase IIa study. Pre-clinical studies demonstrate Aramchol™ is targeting fibrosis via two main pathways – (1) by down regulating steatosis which is the main cause of inflammation and fibrosis; and (2) by directly down regulating collagen production. The new data suggests the potential direct effect of Aramchol™ in the treatment of liver fibrosis," said Mr. Allen Baharaff, Galmed's President and CEO.

"The TAA model is the best known animal model for experimental induced liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. In this model, we investigated the effect of Aramchol™ on liver fibrosis. We found that Aramchol™ significantly reduced the amount of fibrosis in comparison to a control group which received placebo. The results are significant and quite impressive," said Prof. Shimon Reif, Gastroenterologist and Head of Pediatric Department at Hadassah Medical Center at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Prof. Reif continued, "The effect seen in the TAA model is due to direct effect on collagen production from stellate cells."

"As we previously reported on January 9, 2017, we have completed the enrolment of the ARREST Study, and 248 patients have been randomized. Top line Data is expected to be available during the second quarter of 2018. We believe that our cash balance will be sufficient to maintain our current operations through the first half of 2018, and allow the completion of the ARREST study as scheduled," said Mr. Baharaff.

Financial Summary – Full Year 2016 vs. Full Year 2015; 4Q16 vs. 4Q15:

• Cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled approximately $15.5 million as of December 31, 2016, compared with approximately $23.0 million as of December 31, 2015. This decrease primarily resulted from approximately $12.1 million used in operating activities, mainly due to our ongoing clinical studies and operational activities, which was partially offset by net proceeds of approximately $4.5 million raised through our ATM offering.
• The Company recorded a net loss of approximately $17.0 million, or approximately $1.49 per share, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, compared with a net loss of approximately $10.6 million, or approximately $0.96 per share, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015. During 2016, total R&D expenses increased by approximately $6.7 million, or approximately 88%, to approximately $14.3 million, and total G&A expenses decreased by approximately $168 thousand, or approximately 5%, to approximately $3.1 million. In addition, 2016's net loss included approximately $1.6 million of non-cash, stock-based compensation expense versus approximately $970 thousand of non-cash stock-based compensation expense incurred during the corresponding period in 2015.
• For the quarter ended December 31, 2016, the net loss was approximately $4.8 million, or approximately $0.40 per share, which compares with approximately $3.2 million, or approximately $0.29 per share, for the same period in 2015. During the fourth quarter of 2016, total R&D expenses increased approximately $1.4 million to approximately $4.2 million, and total G&A expenses increased approximately $273 thousand to approximately $842 thousand. This quarter's net loss included approximately $160 thousand of non-cash, stock-based compensation income versus approximately $321 thousand of non-cash stock-based compensation expense incurred during the corresponding period in 2015.
• The Company recognized approximately $0.5 million of revenue for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, compared to no revenue for the same period in 2015. The revenue relates to the amortization of the up-front payments under the Company's license agreement with Samil Pharm Co. Ltd. The remaining unamortized up-front payment of approximately $1.6 million is reflected on the balance sheet as short-term and long-term portion of deferred revenue and will be amortized through the contractual term of the agreement.
• Research and development expenses were approximately $14.3 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, compared with approximately $7.6 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015. The increase primarily resulted from an increase in expenses related to the ARREST Study as the trial continues to progress. The increase is also a result of an increase in 2016 of non-cash stock-based compensation expense. For the quarter ended December 31, 2016, research and development expenses totaled approximately $4.2 million, which compares with approximately $2.8 million for the same period in 2015. The increase primarily resulted from an increase in expenses related to the ARREST Study and also as a result of an increase in non-cash stock-based compensation expense.
• The Company incurred general and administrative expenses of approximately $3.1 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, compared with approximately $3.2 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015. The decrease primarily resulted from a decrease in investor relations expenses.
• For the quarter ended December 31, 2016, general and administrative expenses totaled approximately $842 thousand, which compares with approximately $569 thousand for the same period in 2015. The increase primarily resulted from an increase in stock-based compensation expense.

Conference Call & Webcast:

About Aramchol™ and Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)Aramchol™ (arachidyl amido cholanoic acid) is a novel fatty acid bile acid conjugate, inducing beneficial modulation of intra-hepatic lipid metabolism. Aramchol™'s ability to modulate hepatic lipid metabolism was discovered and validated in animal models, demonstrating down regulation of the three key pathologies of NASH; steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis. The effect of Aramchol™ on fibrosis is mediated by down regulation of steatosis and directly on human collagen producing cells. Aramchol™ has been granted by the FDA Fast Track designation status for the treatment of NASH.

NASH is an emerging world crisis impacting 3% to 5% of the U.S. population and 2% to 4% globally. It is the fastest growing cause of liver cancer and liver transplant in the U.S. due to the rise in obesity. NASH is the progressive form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease that can lead to cardiovascular disease, cirrhosis and liver-related mortality.

About Galmed Pharmaceuticals Ltd.:Galmed is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of Aramchol™, a first in class, novel, once-daily, oral therapy for the treatment of NASH for variable populations, as well as other liver associated disorders. Galmed is currently conducting the ARREST Study, a multicenter, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled Phase IIb clinical study designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Aramchol™ in subjects with NASH, who are overweight or obese, and who are pre-diabetic or type-II-diabetic. Galmed also sponsors the ARRIVE Study, a proof-of-concept Phase IIa clinical trial designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Aramchol in up to 50 patients with HIV-associated NAFLD and lipodystrophy. The ARRIVE Study is an investigator-initiated trial, conducted at the University of California San Diego by Professor Rohit Loomba. More information about the ARREST Study and the ARRIVE Study may be found on ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers: NCT02279524 and NCT02684591, respectively.

Forward-Looking Statements:This press release may include forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements relating to Galmed's objectives, plans and strategies, as well as statements, other than historical facts, that address activities, events or developments that Galmed intends, expects, projects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future. These statements are often characterized by terminology such as "believes," "hopes," "may," "anticipates," "should," "intends," "plans," "will," "expects," "estimates," "projects," "positioned," "strategy" and similar expressions and are based on assumptions and assessments made in light of management's experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors believed to be appropriate. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Applicable risks and uncertainties include risks and uncertainties associated with the initiation, timing, progress and results of the Company's research, preclinical studies and clinical trials as well as risks and uncertainties identified under the heading "Risk Factors" included in Galmed's most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC and in other filings that Galmed has made and may make with the SEC in the future. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release and reflect Galmed's current views with respect to future events, and Galmed does not undertake and specifically disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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SOURCE Galmed Pharmaceuticals Ltd.