Galmed reports pre-clinical data on Aramchol-enzalutamide combo

Galmed Pharmaceuticals Ltd., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, has reported pre-clinical study results on the combination of its drug candidate Aramchol with Xtandi, an enzalutamide-based treatment for prostate cancer. The study utilized a VCaP prostate cancer cell line with high levels of wild-type androgen receptors.

The researchers found that the combination of Aramchol and enzalutamide led to a 3-4 fold increase in cell death compared to enzalutamide alone. Xtandi, sold globally by Astellas Pharma and Pfizer, generated around $8 billion in sales in 2024 and $6 billion in 2025. The patents for enzalutamide's main composition of matter will expire in 2026 in Europe and 2027 in the United States, with a price cut in the U.S. set to begin in 2027.

Galmed previously discovered that Aramchol interacts with docetaxel, a chemotherapy drug used in prostate cancer treatment. The results from this study support further evaluation of Aramchol in combination with existing prostate cancer therapies. Galmed CEO Allen Baharaff plans to initiate discussions with potential partners following a recently submitted patent application for this combination.

Galmed focuses on liver, cardiometabolic, and oncology diseases, advancing Aramchol for gastrointestinal oncology and other potential indications.