RAMAT-GAN, Israel, July 16, 2026
Galmed Pharmaceuticals Ltd. has announced the breakthrough development of a novel lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulation of its investigational SCD1 inhibitor Aramchol, engineered to selectively target heart tissue rather than the liver. Developed in collaboration with Barcode Nanotech, the proprietary formulation represents a significant advancement in targeted drug delivery, with the potential to transform the treatment of cardiac fibrosis, one of the leading drivers of chronic heart failure worldwide. Traditional Aramchol formulations accumulate predominantly in the liver, limiting their effectiveness in cardiac disease. The newly engineered cardiac-targeted LNP formulation redirects biodistribution toward the heart muscle, opening the possibility of a disease-modifying therapy for patients suffering from fibrosis-related cardiovascular disorders. The breakthrough highlights Galmed’s strategy to expand Aramchol beyond liver diseases into high-value cardiometabolic and precision medicine applications.
Novel LNP Technology Targets Heart Tissue with Precision
The newly developed lipid nanoparticle formulation leverages FDA-approved lipids and advanced nanotechnology to improve Aramchol’s delivery directly into cardiac tissue. Conventional Aramchol formulations typically result in 80–90% liver accumulation, significantly limiting exposure within the heart. Through its partnership with Barcode Nanotech, Galmed has successfully engineered nanoparticles capable of penetrating heart muscle while redirecting the drug away from hepatocytes. The technology combines AI-enabled analysis, advanced formulation science, and in vivo screening to evaluate hundreds of nanoparticle candidates and identify those demonstrating superior cardiac targeting. Researchers believe the platform could selectively deliver therapies to fibroblasts and other disease-driving cardiac cells responsible for fibrosis progression. This innovative delivery strategy has the potential to establish an entirely new class of precision medicines capable of overcoming one of the biggest challenges in cardiovascular drug development—efficient and selective delivery to diseased heart tissue.
Breakthrough May Advance Treatment of Cardiac Fibrosis
Cardiac fibrosis remains one of the primary contributors to heart failure, a condition responsible for an estimated 20.5 million deaths globally in 2025. Despite substantial progress in cardiovascular medicine, no currently approved therapies directly prevent or reverse the fibrotic remodeling process that progressively weakens heart function. Previous clinical research has already demonstrated Aramchol’s anti-fibrotic activity in Phase 3 MASH studies, as well as in human heart organoids and preclinical heart and lung models, providing encouraging evidence supporting its broader therapeutic potential. By combining Aramchol’s anti-fibrotic mechanism with targeted cardiac delivery, Galmed aims to develop therapies capable of slowing or modifying disease progression rather than simply managing symptoms. Company executives believe this advancement could position Aramchol as the first in a new generation of cardiac fibrosis therapies while creating opportunities for future collaborations focused on cardiovascular diseases and other unmet medical needs.
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Strategic Collaboration Expands Precision Drug Delivery Pipeline
The collaboration between Galmed Pharmaceuticals and Barcode Nanotech extends beyond the current Aramchol program and establishes a platform for future RNA, DNA, and lipid nanoparticle-based therapeutics. Barcode’s proprietary NeoRNA™ Targeting Technology integrates AI, mass-scale in vivo screening, and single-cell biodistribution analysis to optimize lipid nanoparticle formulations for specific organs and cell types. The platform has already demonstrated targeting capabilities for organs including the brain, kidneys, and lungs, while the cardiac program showcases its adaptability for cardiovascular medicine. Galmed intends to leverage this technology alongside its expanding pipeline spanning gastrointestinal oncology, cardiometabolic diseases, and innovative medical devices. The successful development of heart-targeted Aramchol reinforces the company’s commitment to precision therapeutics and positions Galmed at the forefront of next-generation drug delivery innovation with significant long-term commercial and clinical potential.
Source: Galmed Pharmaceuticals press release
