Galmed has developed, in collaboration with Barcode Nanotech, a unique proprietary lipid nanoparticles (LPNs) novel formulation of Aramchol that penetrates the heart tissue and redirects Aramchol's biodistribution away from liver-hepatocytes to the heart's muscle.
Cardiac fibrosis is a major driver of chronic heart failure, the leading cause of death globally, responsible for an estimated 20.5 million deaths in 2025.
Aramchol's anti-fibrotic effects were demonstrated in the liver in a Phase 3 (open label part) MASH study as well as in human heart organoids and in-vivo lung and heart models.
Traditional Aramchol formulation results in 80-90% accumulation in the liver and has limited effect on the heart. The new LPNs Aramchol formulation which selectively targets the heart tissue could potentially become a disease modifying therapy for cardiac fibrosis and unmet cardiac diseases.
RAMAT-GAN, Israel, July 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Galmed Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (NASDAQ: GLMD) ("Galmed" or the "Company"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on liver, cardiometabolic and GI oncology diseases, today announced the breakthrough development of a new Aramchol-based lipid nanoparticles formulation (LNP) for targeted delivery to the heart.
Further advancing the previously reported development of Aramchol's nanocarrier-enabled targeted formulations), Galmed has developed a novel LNP formulation of Aramchol, based on FDA approved lipids, that penetrates the heart tissue.
The development work, a collaboration between Galmed and Barcode Nanotech, applies advanced formulation science, in vivo screening, and AI-enabled analysis which aims to identify optimal vehicles for precise cardiac delivery. The platform enables in vivo screening of hundreds of nanoparticle candidates to support the identification of formulations with potentially improved targeting, biodistribution, and functional performance. By adapting this platform to cardiac applications, the companies aim to develop cardiac-targeted therapies delivered through LNPs that can selectively engage relevant cell populations, including fibroblasts and other disease-driving cardiac cells. These efforts are intended to support both Aramchol-based cardiac programs and future therapeutic candidates built on the same delivery technology.
Cardiac fibrosis is a major contributor to heart failure progression and remains an area of significant unmet medical need. Despite advances in cardiovascular care, no therapies directly prevent or reverse cardiac fibrosis, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic approaches. The goal of the Galmed – Barcode collaboration is to open a new route for disease-modifying therapies in cardiovascular medicine, where efficient and selective delivery to the heart tissue remains a major challenge.