Galectin Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: GALT) announced the appointment of Henry Brem, M.D., as an independent director to its board of directors, according to a company statement.

Dr. Brem serves as the Henry Brem Professor of Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins University and previously directed the Department of Neurosurgery at The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions. He also co-directs the Brain Cancer Program at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The neurosurgeon-scientist has published more than 416 peer-reviewed papers and holds multiple patents. His work includes developing image-guided surgical techniques and localized drug delivery systems, including Gliadel wafers for brain tumors. Dr. Brem has received continuous NIH funding for over four decades and is a member of the National Academy of Medicine.

"His deep experience leading complex clinical development programs and advancing novel therapeutic platforms through regulatory approval will be invaluable as we advance belapectin for patients with MASH cirrhosis and portal hypertension," said Richard E. Uihlein, Chairman of Galectin's Board of Directors.

Galectin Therapeutics develops galectin-3-targeted therapeutics for patients with MASH cirrhosis and portal hypertension. The company's lead drug belapectin has Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis with cirrhosis.

The Norcross, Georgia-based company also has development programs for combination immunotherapy treatments for advanced head and neck cancers and other malignancies.