TEL AVIV, Israel, March 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Galmed Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (Nasdaq: GLMD) ("Galmedˮ or the "Company"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of the liver targeted SCD1 modulator Aramchol™, 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, 2017.

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™.

Financial Summary – Full Year 2017 vs. Full Year 2016; 4Q17vs. 4Q16:

• Cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled $19.0 million as of December 31, 2017, compared with $15.5 million as of December 31, 2016. The increase is primarily attributable to the $15.1 million of net proceeds from the Company's different equity offerings and partially offset by the Company's net loss of approximately $12.3 million. Galmed believes that its cash balance will be sufficient to maintain its current operations through 2019.
• For the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded a net loss of $3.6 million and $12.3 million or $0.27 and $0.98 per share, respectively, compared with a net loss of $4.8 million and $17.0 million, or $0.40 and $1.49 per share, for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2016.
• The Company recognized $1.1 million of revenue for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, compared to $0.5 million for the same period in 2016. The revenue relates to the amortization of the up-front payments under the Company's license agreement with Samil Pharm Co. Ltd. For the three months ended December 31, 2017, revenue totaled $0.3 million, the same as for the cooresponding period in 2016.
• Research and development expenses were $9.7 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, compared with $14.3 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016. For the three months ended December 31, 2017, research and development expenses totaled $2.2 million, which compares with $4.2 million for the same period in 2016.
• The Company incurred general and administrative expenses of $3.8 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, compared with $3.1 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016. For the three months ended December 31, 2017, general and administrative expenses totaled $1.7 million, which compares with $0.8 million for the same period in 2016.

Conference Call & Webcast:

Tuesday, March 13, 2018, 8:30 am Eastern Time / 5:30 am Pacific Time

Participant Dial-In Numbers:

Toll-Free: +1-800-289-0438Toll/International: +1-323-794-2423Conference ID: 1228226Webcast: http://public.viavid.com/index.php?id=128520

Replay, available through March 27, 2018

Replay Dial-In Numbers:

Toll-Free: +1-844-512-2921Toll/International: +1-412-317-6671Passcode: 1228226

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 downregulation of the three key pathologies of NASH: steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis. The effect of Aramchol™ on fibrosis is mediated by downregulation of steatosis and directly on human collagen producing cells. Aramchol™ has been granted Fast Track designation status by the FDA for the treatment of NASH.

NASH is an emerging world crisis impacting an estimated 3% to 5% of the U.S. population and an estimated 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. More information about the ARREST Study may be found on ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02279524.

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. Many factors could cause Galmed's actual activities or results to differ materially from the activities and results anticipated in forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the following: the timing and cost of Galmed's ongoing Phase IIb ARREST Study, and planned Phase III trials for Aramchol™, or whether Phase III trials will be conducted at all; completion and receiving favorable results of these Phase IIb ARREST Study and Phase III trials for Aramchol™; regulatory action with respect to Aramchol™ by the FDA or the EMA; the commercial launch and future sales of Aramchol™ or any other future product candidates; Galmed's ability to comply with all applicable post-market regulatory requirements for Aramchol™ in the countries in which it seeks to market the product; Galmed's ability to achieve favorable pricing for Aramchol™; Galmed's expectations regarding the commercial market for NASH in patients who are overweight or obese and have pre diabetes or type II diabetes mellitus; third-party payor reimbursement for Aramchol™; Galmed's estimates regarding anticipated capital requirements and Galmed's needs for additional financing; market adoption of Aramchol™ by physicians and patients; the timing, cost or other aspects of the commercial launch of Aramchol™; the development and approval of the use of Aramchol™ for additional indications or in combination therapy; and Galmed's expectations regarding licensing, acquisitions and strategic operations. More detailed information about the risks and uncertainties affecting Galmed is contained under the heading "Risk Factors" included in Galmed's most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on March 13, 2018, 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.