United States

Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

(Rule 14a-101)

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No.    )

Filed by the Registrant  x                            Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  ¨

Check the appropriate box:

¨	Preliminary Proxy Statement
¨	Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
x	Definitive Proxy Statement
¨	Definitive Additional Materials
¨	Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12
GALECTIN THERAPEUTICS INC.
(Name of Registrant As Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
x	No fee required.
¨	Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
	(1)	Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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	(3)	Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
	(4)	Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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¨	Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
¨	Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
	(1)	Amount Previously Paid:
	(2)	Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
	(3)	Filing Party:
	(4)	Date Filed:

April 12, 2013

Dear Stockholder:

You are cordially invited to attend the annual meeting of stockholders of Galectin Therapeutics Inc. The meeting will be held on Thursday, May 23, 2013 at 9:00 a.m., local time, at the offices of Arnall Golden Gregory LLP, located at 171 17^th Street NW, Suite 2100, Atlanta, GA 30363, for the following purposes:

1. To elect the eight nominees named in this proxy statement for director to hold office for a one-year term, expiring at the 2014 annual meeting of our stockholders.

2. To vote on a non-binding advisory resolution to approve the compensation paid to Galectin’s named executive officers, as disclosed in this proxy statement.

3. To recommend, by non-binding vote, the frequency with which Galectin will conduct stockholder advisory votes on executive compensation.

4. To ratify the selection by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of McGladrey LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013.

5. To conduct any other business properly brought before the meeting.

These items of business are more fully described in the proxy statement accompanying this Notice.

In addition, the proxy statement contains other important information about Galectin Therapeutics, including information about the role and responsibilities of our board of directors and its committees, information about executive compensation, and information about the beneficial ownership of Galectin Therapeutics securities.

Your vote is very important. Therefore, whether or not you plan to attend the annual meeting in person, please complete and return the enclosed proxy card.

Sincerely yours,

Peter G. Traber, M.D.

President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Medical Officer

GALECTIN THERAPEUTICS INC.

4960 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Suite 240

Norcross, Georgia 30071

NOTICE OF THE 2013 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

Time:	9:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 23, 2013
Place:	Arnall Golden Gregory LLP 171 17th Street NW, Suite 2100 Atlanta, GA 30363
Items of Business:	(1)	To elect the eight (8) nominees named in this proxy statement to serve for one-year terms, expiring at our 2014 annual meeting of stockholders.
	(2)	To vote on a non-binding advisory resolution to approve the compensation paid to Galectin’s named executive officers, as disclosed in this proxy statement.
	(3)	To recommend, by non-binding vote, the frequency with which Galectin will conduct stockholder advisory votes on executive compensation.
	(4)	To ratify the selection by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of McGladrey LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013.
	(5)	To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
Who Can Vote:	You can vote if you were a shareholder of record of our common stock, our Series A 12% Convertible Preferred Stock, our Series B-1 Convertible Preferred Stock or our Series B-2 Convertible Preferred Stock, as of the close of business on March 27, 2013.
Annual Report:	A copy of our 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K is included with this proxy statement.
Web site:	You may also read our Annual Report and this Notice and proxy statement on our website at www.galectintherapeutics.com or at http://www.rrdezproxy.com/2013/GalectinTherapeutics/
Date of Mailing:	This Notice, the proxy statement and the form of proxy are first being mailed to shareholders on or about April 12, 2013.

By Order of the Board of Directors

Harold Shlevin, Ph.D.

Chief Operating Officer and

Corporate Secretary

GALECTIN THERAPEUTICS INC.

4960 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Suite 240

Norcross, Georgia 30071

PROXY STATEMENT

FOR 2013 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To Be Held on May 23, 2013

This proxy statement contains information about our 2013 annual meeting of stockholders. The meeting will be held on Thursday, May 23, 2013, beginning at 9:00 a.m. local time, at the offices of Arnall Golden Gregory LLP, located at 171 17^th Street NW, Suite 2100, Atlanta, GA 30363.

This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by our board of directors for use at the annual meeting and at any adjournment of that meeting. All proxies will be voted in accordance with the instructions they contain. If you do not specify your voting instructions on your proxy, it will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of our board of directors.

These proxy materials, together with our annual report to stockholders for our 2012 fiscal year, are first being mailed to stockholders on or about April 12, 2013 and may also be found at www.galectintherapeutics.com.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING

What is the purpose of the annual meeting?

At our annual meeting, stockholders will consider and vote on the following matters:

1. To elect the eight nominees named in this proxy statement for director to hold office for a one-year term, expiring at the 2014 annual meeting of our stockholders.

2. To vote on a non-binding advisory resolution to approve the compensation paid to Galectin’s named executive officers, as disclosed in this proxy statement.

3. To recommend, by non-binding vote, the frequency with which Galectin will conduct stockholder advisory votes on executive compensation.

4. To ratify the selection by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of McGladrey LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013.

5. To conduct any other business properly brought before the meeting.

Who can vote?

You may vote if you were a shareholder of Galectin Therapeutics as of the close of business on the record date, March 27, 2013. Shares outstanding on the record date are the following:

• 16,109,090 shares of common stock,

• 1,562,500 shares of Series A 12% Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series A preferred stock”),

• 900,000 shares of Series B-1 Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series B-1 preferred stock”), and

• 2,100,000 shares of Series B-2 Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series B-2 preferred stock”, and together with the Series B-1 preferred stock, the “Series B preferred stock”).

The shares of Series A preferred stock and Series B preferred stock vote on an as-converted basis with the shares of common stock. Prior to giving effect to the reverse stock split discussed in the next question, on an as-converted basis, each share of Series A preferred stock had one vote, and each share of Series B preferred stock had four votes. The shares of our Series C Super Dividend Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series C preferred stock, and together with the Series A preferred stock and Series B preferred stock, the “Preferred Stock”) do not have voting rights prior to conversion to common stock.

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How many votes do I have?

Each share of our common stock that you own on the record date entitles you to one vote on each matter subject to a vote. Each share of Series A preferred stock that you own on the record date entitles you to one-sixth vote (i.e. six shares of Series A preferred stock equals one vote) on each matter that is submitted to a vote of holders of our common stock. Each share of our Series B preferred stock entitles you to two-thirds of a vote (i.e. three shares of Series B preferred stock equals two votes) on each matter that is submitted to a vote of holders of our common stock. On March 23, 2012, we effected a one-for-six reverse split of the shares of our common stock that were then issued and outstanding as well as the authorized but unissued shares of common stock. The reverse split by a similar ratio impacts the number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of shares of each series of Preferred Stock.

Directors and executive officers of Galectin Therapeutics own or control the voting of 5,155,994 shares of common stock or the common equivalent of voting preferred stock, representing approximately 28% of the total outstanding voting shares at the record date. We expect all of these shares will be voted FOR all of the proposals as described in this proxy statement and for the frequency of a non-binding vote on executive compensation to be EVERY YEAR.

What is the difference between the Galectin Therapeutics securities that are traded under the NASDAQ trading symbols “GALT”, “GALTU”, and “GALTW” and how is each voted?

Our common stock is listed and trades on the NASDAQ Capital Markets under the symbol “GALT”. The units of securities that we sold in our public offering that that was closed on March 28, 2012, are listed and trade on the NASDAQ Capital Markets under the symbol “GALTU”. Each Unit consists of two shares of our common stock and one warrant to purchase one share of our common stock. A holder of Units has one vote for each of the two shares in the Unit. The warrants we sold in the public offering are listed and now trade on the NASDAQ Capital Markets under the symbol “GALTW”. The warrants do not have voting rights.

How do I vote?

If you are the record holder of your shares, meaning that you own your shares in your own name and not through a bank or brokerage firm, you may vote as follows:

1. You may vote by mail. You may vote by completing and signing the proxy card enclosed with this proxy statement and promptly mailing it in the enclosed postage-prepaid envelope. You do not need to put a stamp on the enclosed envelope if you mail it from the United States. The shares you own will be voted according to your instructions on the proxy card you mail. If you return the proxy card, but do not give any instructions on a particular matter described in this proxy statement, the shares you own will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of our board of directors.

2. You may vote in person. If you attend the meeting, you may vote by delivering your completed proxy card in person or by completing a ballot. Ballots will be available at the meeting.

How does the Board of Directors recommend that I vote on the proposals?

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote:

FOR the election of each of the eight nominees to serve as directors on the Board of Directors, each for a term of one year, expiring at our 2014 annual meeting of stockholders.

FOR approving, on a nonbinding advisory basis, the compensation of the named executive officers.

FOR the recommendation, by non-binding vote, that Galectin conduct a stockholder advisory vote on executive compensation on an annual basis, or EVERY YEAR.

FOR the ratification of the selection of McGladrey LLP, as our independent registered public accounting firm for the 2013 fiscal year.

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Is my vote important?

Your vote is important no matter how many shares you own. Please take the time to vote. Take a moment to read the instructions below. Choose the way to vote that is the easiest and most convenient for you and cast your vote as soon as possible.

What if I return a proxy card but do not make specific choices?

Any Proxy Card returned without directions given will be voted (1) “FOR” the election of directors presented in this Proxy Statement to the Board of Directors, (2) “FOR” approving, on a nonbinding advisory basis, the compensation of the named executive offices, (3) “FOR” approving, on a nonbinding advisory basis, an advisory vote on executive compensation “EVERY YEAR”, (4) “FOR” the ratification of the appointment of McGladrey LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm to audit the financial statements for our 2013 fiscal year, and (5) as to any other business that may come before the annual meeting, in accordance with the judgment of the person or persons named in the proxy.

Will my shares be voted if I do not provide my proxy?

Your shares may be voted if they are held in the name of a brokerage firm, even if you do not provide the brokerage firm with voting instructions. Brokerage firms have the authority to vote shares for which their customers do not provide voting instructions on certain “routine” matters.

The proposal to ratify the selection of McGladrey LLP as our independent auditors for fiscal year 2013 is considered a routine matter for which brokerage firms may vote shares for which they have not received voting instructions. The other proposals to be voted on at our annual meeting are not considered “routine” under applicable rules. When a proposal is not a routine matter and the brokerage firm has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares with respect to that proposal, the brokerage firm cannot vote the shares on that proposal. This is called a “broker non-vote.”

Can I change my vote after I have mailed my Proxy Card or after I have voted my shares?

Yes. You can change your vote and revoke your proxy at any time before the polls close at the meeting by doing any one of the following things:

• signing another proxy with a later date;

• giving our corporate secretary, Dr. Harold Shlevin, Ph.D., written notice to that effect. He may be contacted at 4960 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Suite 240, Norcross, GA 30071; telephone: 678-620-3186; e-mail: shlevin@galectintherapeutics.com; or

• voting in person at the meeting.

How can I access the proxy materials over the internet?

You may view and also download our proxy materials, including the 2012 Annual Report, our Form 10-K for the year ended December 12, 2012, and the Notice on our website at www.galectintherapeutics.com, as well as http://www.rrdezproxy.com/2013/GalectinTherapeutics/

Who pays for the solicitation of Proxies?

The solicitation of proxies in the enclosed form is made on behalf of the Board of Directors. We pay all costs to solicit these proxies. Our officers, directors and employees may solicit proxies but will not be additionally compensated for such activities. We are also working with brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to forward solicitation materials to the beneficial owners of shares held of record by such institutions and persons. We will reimburse their reasonable expenses.

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What is the quorum requirement?

A quorum of stockholders is necessary to hold a valid meeting. A quorum will be present if at least one-third of the outstanding shares entitled to vote are represented by stockholders present at the meeting or by proxy. On the record date, there were 18,369,507 shares of common stock outstanding or deemed outstanding based on voting rights of Series A preferred stock or Series B preferred stock on an as-converted basis. Thus, 6,123,169 shares must be represented by stockholders present at the meeting or by proxy to have a quorum.

Your shares will be counted towards the quorum only if you submit a valid proxy (or one is submitted on your behalf by your broker, bank or other nominee) or if you vote in person at the meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted towards the quorum requirement. If a quorum is not present, the meeting will be adjourned until a quorum is obtained.

What vote is required for each item to pass?

Election of Directors. Under our bylaws, directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the holders of shares entitled to vote in the election. There are eight nominees and nine positions to be filled, this means that the eight individuals receiving the most votes will be elected. Abstentions and broker non-votes will therefore not be relevant to the outcome. If the shares you own are held in “street name” by a brokerage firm, your brokerage firm, as the record holder of your shares, is required to vote your shares according to your instructions. Two directors, whom we refer to as Series B directors, are nominated and elected by the holder(s) of the Series B preferred stock voting as a separate class.

Advisory approval of executive compensation. The advisory vote regarding the approval of executive compensation will be determined by a plurality of votes cast by the holders of shares entitled to vote in the election. Accordingly, abstentions and broker non-votes will not be relevant to the outcome.

Advisory approval of frequency of stockholder advisory vote on executive compensation. The advisory vote regarding the frequency with which Galectin will conduct shareholder advisory votes on executive compensation will be determined by a plurality of votes cast by the holders of shares entitled to vote in the election. Accordingly, abstentions and broker non-votes will not be relevant to the outcome. Shareholders may choose an annual, biennial, or triennial frequency, i.e., every year, every two years, every three years, or they may abstain. The frequency option that receives the most votes will be deemed the option chosen by the advisory vote.

Ratification of independent registered public accounting firm. Under our bylaws, the votes cast “for” must exceed the votes cast “against” in order to ratify the selection of McGladrey LLP, as our independent registered public accounting firm. Accordingly, abstentions and broker non-votes will not be relevant to the outcome.

If your shares are held in street name and you do not provide voting instructions to your broker, bank or other nominee, they will be treated as broker non-votes and will not be counted for purposes of determining the outcome of a proposal. Abstentions and votes “withheld” are counted for the purpose of establishing a quorum.

Your Board of Directors has eleven members. Why are only eight elected at the annual meeting?

The holder(s) of our Series B preferred stock have the right, as long as any shares of Series B preferred stock are outstanding, to vote as a separate class to nominate and elect two of our directors, referred to as the Series B directors, and to nominate three directors, referred to as the Series B nominees, who must be recommended for election by holders of all of our securities entitled to vote on election of directors. The holder(s) of the Series B preferred stock declined to exercise their right to designate the three Series B nominees for purposes of the 2013 annual meeting. Messrs. Czirr and Greenberg are the Series B directors who, if elected by the holder(s) of the Series B preferred stock at the 2013 annual meeting, will serve on our Board as the Series B directors. As of March 27, 2013, 10X Fund L.P. is the owner of all of the issued and outstanding shares of the Series B preferred stock. For additional information, please see “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” below. Also, one slot is being kept open this year and an appointment may be made later in the year to be approved by shareholders at the 2014 annual meeting.

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Who will count the votes?

We will appoint an Inspector of Elections for the 2013 Annual Meeting who will not be an officer, director or nominee.

How and when may I submit a stockholder proposal for next year’s annual meeting?

To be considered for inclusion in next year’s proxy materials, your proposal must be submitted in writing to our Corporate Secretary at 4960 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Suite 240, Norcross, GA 30071. With respect to proposals made pursuant to Rule 14a-8 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the proposal must be received by Galectin by December 13, 2013 for inclusion in its proxy statement and form of proxy. In addition, all stockholder proposals submitted outside of the stockholder proposal rules promulgated pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, including nominations of director candidates, must be received by Galectin by no later than February 22, 2014 but no earlier than January 23, 2014, in order to be considered timely.

You are also advised to review our Bylaws, which contain additional requirements about advance notice of stockholder proposals and director nominations.

Where can I find the voting results?

We will report the voting results on Form 8-K within four business days after the end of our annual meeting of stockholders. If final voting results are not available to us in time to file a current report on Form 8-K within four business days after the annual meeting, we intend to file a current report on Form 8-K to publish preliminary results and, within four business days after the final results are known to us, file an additional current report on Form 8-K to publish the final results.

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth, as of March 27, 2013, certain information concerning the beneficial ownership of our common stock, our Series A preferred stock and Series B preferred stock by (i) each person known by us to own beneficially five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding shares of each class, (ii) each of our directors and named executive officers, and (iii) all of our executive officers and directors as a group. The table also sets forth, in its final column, the combined voting power of the voting securities on all matters presented to the stockholders for their approval at the annual meeting, except for such separate class votes as are required by law.

The number of shares beneficially owned by each 5% stockholder, director or executive officer is determined under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under those rules, beneficial ownership includes any shares as to which the individual or entity has sole or shared voting power or investment power and also any shares that the individual or entity has the right to acquire within 60 days after March 27, 2013 through the exercise of any stock option, warrant or other right, or the conversion of any security. Unless otherwise indicated, each person or entity has sole voting and investment power (or shares such power with his or her spouse) with respect to the shares set forth in the following table. The inclusion in the table below of any shares deemed beneficially owned does not constitute an admission of beneficial ownership of those shares.

On March 23, 2012, we effected a one-for-six reverse split of our outstanding shares of common stock as well as the authorized but unissued shares of common stock. The reverse split by the same ratio affects the number of shares of our common stock issuable upon conversion of the shares of each series of Preferred Stock. All common share, common equivalent share ratios and per share amounts have been adjusted to reflect this reverse split.

Name and Address(1)	Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned(2)			Percent of Common Stock(3)			Shares of Series A Preferred Stock Beneficially Owned			Percent of Series A Preferred Stock(4)			Shares of Series B Preferred Stock Beneficially Owned(5)		Percent of Series B Preferred Stock			Combined Percent of Voting Securities(6)
5% Stockholders
James C. Czirr		10,071,311	(7)		42.9	%		—			—			3,000,000		100	%		4.6	%(8)
10X Fund, L.P. (16)		8,867,527	(9)		38.4	%		—			—			3,000,000		100	%		21.1	%
Rod D. Martin, J.D.		9,056,537	(10)		39.0	%		—			—			3,000,000		100	%		*	(8)
James C. Czirr Trust (17)		24,451	(15)		*			100,000			6.4	%		—		—			*
David Smith (18)		—			—			175,000			11.2	%		—		—			*
Fivex LLC (18)		—			—			100,000	(14)		6.4	%		—		—			*
Directors and Other Named Executive Officers
James C. Czirr		10,071,311	(7)		42.9	%		100,000			6.4	%		3,000,000		100	%		4.6	%(8)
Rod D. Martin, J.D.		9,056,537	(10)		39.0	%		—			—			3,000,000		100	%		*	(8)
Gilbert F. Amelio, Ph.D.		106,272			*			—			—			—		—			*
Kevin Freeman		12,964			*			—			—			—		—			*
Arthur R. Greenberg		112,402			*			—			—			—		—			*
John Mauldin		17,911			*			—			—			—		—			*
Steven Prelack		105,714			*			—			—			—		—			*
Paul Pressler		17,464			*			—			—			—		—			*
Jerald K. Rome		132,463			*			—			—			—		—			*
Marc Rubin		15,706			*			—			—			—		—			*
Peter G. Traber, M.D.		871,669	(11)		5.2	%		—			—			—		—			*
Harold H. Shlevin, Ph.D.		100,000			*			—			—			—		—			*
Thomas A. McGauley		21,250	(12)		*			—			—			—		—			*
All executive officers and directors as a group (13 persons)		11,774,136	(13)		47.6	%		100,000			6.4	%		3,000,000		100	%		28.0	%

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 * Less than 1%.

(1) Except as otherwise indicated, the address for each named person is c/o Galectin Therapeutics Inc., 4960 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Suite 240, Norcross, GA 30071.

(2) Includes the following number of shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options granted to our named executive officers and directors that are exercisable within 60 days after March 27, 2013,

Directors and Named Executive Officers	Options Exercisable Within 60 Days
Mr. Czirr		341,667
Mr. Martin		97,522
Mr. Amelio		14,188
Mr. Freeman		12,964
Mr. Greenburg		17,735
Mr. Mauldin		12,964
Mr. Prelack		102,778
Mr. Pressler		12,964
Mr. Rome		103,403
Mr. Rubin		12,372
Dr. Traber		678,335
Dr. Shlevin		100,000
Mr. McGauley		10,000
All executive officers and directors as a group		1,516,892

(3) For each named person and group included in this table, percentage ownership of our common stock is calculated by dividing the number of shares of our common stock beneficially owned by such person or group by the sum of (i) 16,109,090 shares of our common stock outstanding as of March 27, 2013 and (ii) the number of shares of our common stock that such person has the right to acquire within 60 days after March 27, 2013, which does not include any shares of common stock that may be issued in payment of dividends to holders of our preferred stock during that period.

(4) Based on 1,562,500 shares of Series A preferred stock outstanding as of March 27, 2013.

(5) Includes 900,000 shares of Series B-1 preferred stock and 2,100,000 shares of Series B-2 preferred stock outstanding as of March 27, 2013.

(6) Represents the combined voting power of the voting securities (comprised of the aggregate of the shares of common stock, Series A preferred stock and Series B preferred stock, each series voting on an as-converted basis with the common stock) on all matters presented for stockholder vote at the annual meeting (except for such separate class votes as are required by law or the terms of a class or series of securities) and excludes (i) shares of common stock underlying options and warrants not exercised as of the record date and (ii) the Series C preferred stock which does not have voting rights.

(7) Includes (i) 600,000 common shares issuable upon conversion of 900,000 shares of Series B-1 preferred stock, (ii) 1,400,000 common shares issuable upon conversion of 2,100,000 shares of Series B-2 preferred stock; (iii) 5,000,000 common shares issuable upon exercise of warrants; (iv) 1,000,000 shares of common stock; and (v) 867,527 common shares issued as stock dividends paid on the Series B preferred stock, as to which Mr. Czirr, in his capacity as a managing member of 10X Capital Management Fund, LLC, a Florida limited liability company and general partner of 10X Fund, which we refer to as 10X Management, has shared voting and investment power, and disclaims beneficial ownership.

(8) Excludes, for purposes of this column, shares of common stock underlying the Series B preferred stock as to which such person has shared voting power but which will be voted by 10X Fund.

(9) Includes (i) 600,000 common shares issuable upon conversion of 900,000 shares of Series B-1 preferred stock; (ii) 1,400,000 common shares issuable upon conversion of 2,100,000 shares of Series B-2 preferred stock; (iii) 5,000,000 common shares issuable upon exercise of warrants; (iv) 1,000,000 shares of common stock, and (v) 867,527 common shares issued as stock dividends paid on the Series B preferred stock, as to which Mr. Martin, in his capacity as a managing member of 10X Management, its general partner, has

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shared voting and investment power, and disclaims beneficial ownership. Each of Mr. Czirr and Mr. Martin, in his capacity as a managing member of 10X Management, the general partner of 10X Fund, has voting and investment power, and disclaims beneficial ownership, of these securities.

(10) Includes (i) 600,000 common shares issuable upon conversion of 900,000 shares of Series B-1 preferred stock; (ii) 1,400,000 common shares issuable upon conversion of 2,100,000 shares of Series B-2 preferred stock; (iii) 5,000,000 common shares issuable upon exercise of warrants; (iv) 1,000,000 common shares, and (iv) 867,527 common shares issued as stock dividends paid on the Series B preferred stock, all of which are held of record by 10X Fund as to which Mr. Martin, in his capacity as a managing member of 10X Management, has shared voting and investment power, and disclaims beneficial ownership.

(11) Includes 100,000 common shares issuable upon exercise of warrants.

(12) Includes 1,250 common shares issuable upon exercise of warrants.

(13) Includes (i) 7,000,000 common shares issuable upon conversion of the shares of Series B preferred stock and exercise of warrants and (ii) 1,867,527 common shares issued upon exercise of warrants or paid as stock dividends on the Series B preferred stock, as to which Messrs. Czirr and Martin share voting and investment control but are counted one time for purposes of this total. For additional information about the beneficial ownership of our capital stock by Messrs. Czirr and Martin, see notes 7 and 10 respectively.

(14) Mr. Smith is the manager of Fivex LLC, a Connecticut limited liability company, and may be deemed to have voting and investment control over, but disclaims beneficial ownership of, the shares of Series A preferred stock.

(15) Includes 16,667 shares of our common stock issuable upon conversion of Series A preferred stock.

(16) Contact: c/o 10X Capital Management, LLC 1099 Forest Lake Terrace Niceville, FL 32578.

(17) Contact: c/o James C. Czirr 425 Janish Drive, Sandpoint, ID 83864.

(18) Contact: c/o David Smith 34 Shorehaven Road E. Norwalk, CT 06855.

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our officers and directors, and persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of our common stock, to file reports of ownership and changes of ownership of such securities with the SEC. All reports were timely filed other than that one Form 4 of Steven Prelack that reported one transaction.

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PROPOSAL NO. 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of our Board of Directors has nominated eight members currently serving on our Board to be re-elected at the annual meeting to serve one-year terms until the 2014 annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are elected and qualified. Each nominee has agreed to serve if elected. Mr. Rome is not standing for re-election and will retire from the Board as of the Annual Meeting.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is nominating eight directors, which is fewer than the number (eleven) of directors permitted by our governance documents, to be elected to the Board of Directors because Messrs. Czirr and Greenberg are the Series B directors who are nominated and elected by the holder(s) of the Series B preferred stock voting as a separate class. Mr. Czirr serves as the Executive Chairman of the Board. Background information with respect to Messrs. Czirr and Greenberg is provided below. If all of the nominees are elected at the annual meeting, our Board of Directors will have ten members.

Set forth below is information regarding the nominees, as of March 27, 2013, including their ages, positions with Galectin Therapeutics, recent employment and other directorships.

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION TO THE BOARD OF EACH NOMINEE.

The persons who have been nominated for election at the annual meeting to serve on our Board of Directors are named in the table below. Proxies cannot be voted for a greater number of persons than the number of nominees named.

Name	Age		Position	Director Since
Gilbert F. Amelio, Ph.D		69	Director		2009
Kevin D. Freeman		51	Director		2011
Rod D. Martin		42	Director		2009
John Mauldin		63	Director		2011
Steven Prelack		54	Director		2003
H. Paul Pressler		81	Director		2011
Marc Rubin, M.D.		58	Director		2011
Peter G. Traber, M.D.		56	Chief Executive Officer, President and Director		2009

Gilbert F. Amelio, Ph.D. a director since February 2009, began his career at Bell Labs in Murray Hill, New Jersey. He was a Senior Partner of Sienna Ventures (a privately-held venture capital firm in Sausalito, California) from April 2001 until the fund closed per plan on December 31, 2011. Dr. Amelio was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Jazz Technologies, Inc. (now a wholly owned subsidiary of Tower Semiconductor Ltd., an independent specialty wafer foundry) from August 2005 until his retirement in September 2008 (when he was named Chairman Emeritus). Dr. Amelio was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Beneventure Capital, LLC (a full-service venture capital firm in San Francisco, California) from 1999 to 2005 and was Principal of Aircraft Ventures, LLC (a consulting firm in Newport Beach, California) from April 1997 to December 2004. In 2008, Acquicor Management LLC (a former shareholder of Jazz Technologies, Inc.), where Dr. Amelio has served as the sole managing member since 2005, declared bankruptcy. Dr. Amelio was elected a Director of AT&T in February 2001 and had previously served as an Advisory Director of AT&T (then known as SBC Communications Inc.) from April 1997 to February 2001. He served as a Director of Pacific Telesis Group from 1995 until the company was acquired by AT&T in 1997. Prior to 1997, he served as Chairman, President and CEO of National Semiconductor (1991-1996) and Apple Computer (1996-1997). We believe Dr. Amelio’s qualifications to sit on our Board of Directors includes his executive leadership and management experience, as well as his extensive experience with global companies, his financial expertise and his years of experience providing strategic advisory services to organizations.

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James C. Czirr, age 58, Chairman of the Board since February 2009 and Executive Chairman since February 2010, is a co-founder of l0X Fund, L.P. and is a managing member of 10X Capital Management LLC, the general partner of 10X Fund, L.P. Mr. Czirr was a co-founder of Galectin Therapeutics in July 2000. Mr. Czirr was instrumental in the early stage development of Safe Science Inc., a developer of anti-cancer drugs, served from 2005 to 2008 as Chief Executive Officer of Minerva Biotechnologies Corporation, a developer of nano particle bio chips to determine the cause of solid tumors, and was a consultant to Metalline Mining Company Inc., now known as Silver Bull Resources, Inc., (AMEX: SVBL), a mineral exploration company seeking to become a low cost producer of zinc. Mr. Czirr received a B.B.A. degree from the University of Michigan. We believe that Mr. Czirr is best situated to sit on our Board of Directors and serve as Chairman of the Board because he is the director who was a co-founder of the Company and is very familiar with our business and industry, and capable of effectively identifying sources of capital as well as strategic priorities.

Kevin D. Freeman, a director since May 2011, holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is Chief Executive Officer of Cross Consulting and Services, LLC, an investment advisory and consulting firm founded in 2004. He is also author of a New York Times best-selling book about the stock market and economy. Formerly he was Chairman of Separate Account Solutions, Inc. and held several offices at Franklin Templeton Investment Services from 1991 to 2000. He holds a B.S. in business administration from University of Tulsa, Tulsa, Oklahoma. We believe Mr. Freeman’s qualifications to sit on our Board of Directors includes his extensive financial expertise and his years of experience providing financial advisory services.

Arthur R. Greenberg, age 66, a director since August 2009, has more than 40 years in the semiconductor equipment and materials industries. He is the President and Founder of Prism Technologies, Inc., which provides professional sales and marketing services as well as business development and consulting services. Mr. Greenberg is a member of the board of UV Tech Systems, a designer and manufacturer of equipment used to fabricate semiconductor devices. Previously, he has been a founder of several successful companies in Silicon Valley and was the first President of SEMI, North America, a semiconductor equipment and materials industry trade association representing the interests, including public policy, of all SEMI members doing business in North America. Mr. Greenberg is also a member of the advisory board of the Salvation Army of Santa Clara County. Mr. Greenberg received his B.S.B.A. degree in Business Administration from Henderson State University. We believe Mr. Greenberg’s qualifications to sit on our Board of Directors includes his executive leadership and management experience, as well as his extensive experience with business development.

Rod D. Martin, a director since February 2009 and Vice Chair of the Board of Directors since February 2010, is a co-founder of 10X Fund, L.P. and is a managing member of 10X Capital Management LLC, the general partner of 10X Fund, L.P. Dr. Martin served as a senior advisor to PayPal, Inc. founder Peter Thiel, during the company’s startup phase, its initial public offering and its subsequent acquisition by eBay Inc.; and afterward, served at Clarium Capital, Thiel’s global macro hedge fund. Dr. Martin is co-founder and Executive Chairman of Advanced Search Laboratories, Inc., and also serves on several technology company and nonprofit boards, including Agincourt Ventures, CapLinked, FlowPay, and Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership. He previously served as Policy Director for former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, and is a widely noted author and speaker. Dr. Martin holds a J.D. from Baylor Law School, a B.A. from the University of Arkansas, and was a Sturgis Fellow at Cambridge University in Great Britain. We believe Dr. Martin’s qualifications to sit on our Board of Directors include his executive leadership experience, as well as his extensive experience with developing companies and organizations.

John Mauldin, a director since May 2011, is President of Millennium Wave Advisors LLC, an investment advisory firm, and a registered representative of Millennium Wave Securities, LLC, a FINRA registered broker-dealer. Previously he was Chief Executive Officer of the American Bureau of Economic Research. He has many publications on investments and financial topics, including a New York Times bestseller and articles in the Financial Times and The Daily Reckoning, and is a frequent guest on CNBC, Yahoo Tech Ticker and Bloomberg TV. He holds a B.A. from Rice University and a M.Div. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. We believe Mr. Mauldin’s qualifications to sit on our Board of Directors includes his extensive financial management and advisory experience.

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Steven Prelack, a director since April 2003, is the current Chief Operating Officer of VetCor which owns and operates 88 veterinary hospitals across the country. Previously, from 2001, he was Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of VelQuest Corporation, a provider of automated compliance software solutions for the pharmaceutical industry. In this capacity, Mr. Prelack oversaw sales, business development, operations and finance. Mr. Prelack is also a director of Codeco Corporation, a designer and manufacturer of custom resisters and switches. Mr. Prelack served as Director and Audit Committee Chair for BioVex from 2007 through 2009. Mr. Prelack, a Certified Public Accountant, received a B.B.A. degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1979 and is a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors. We believe Mr. Prelack’s qualifications to sit on our Board of Directors includes his extensive executive leadership experience, as well as his many years serving in senor financial management roles.

H. Paul Pressler, a director since May 2011. A graduate of Princeton University, cum laude, and of the University of Texas Law School. He was elected to the Texas State Legislature while still in law school. From 1958 to 1970, he was associated with the law firm of Vinson & Elkins. He was a District Judge from 1970 to 1978 and was Justice of the Texas Court of Appeals from 1978 until 1993. Judge Pressler was a partner in the law firm Woodfill & Pressler from 1995 until 2013 and served in private mediation practice for several years. Judge Pressler was a director of Salem Communications Corporation (Nasdaq GM:SALM) from March 2002 to June 2011. He is also a board member of the Liberty Institute and KHCB Network, a non-profit corporation which owns over 30 Christian radio stations in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Florida, and is a board member of National Religious Broadcasters and a number of other charitable boards. We believe Mr. Pressler’s qualifications to sit on our Board of Directors includes his extensive legal experience and expertise as well as his executive leadership experience.

Marc Rubin, M.D, a director since October 2011, is Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of Titan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (TTNP: OTC BB) and served as its President and Chief Executive Officer from October 2007 to January 2009. Until February 2007, Dr. Rubin served as Head of Global Research and Development for Bayer Schering Pharma, as well as a member of the Executive Committee of Bayer Healthcare and the Board of Management of Bayer Schering Pharma. Prior to the merger of Bayer Pharmaceuticals and Schering AG in June 2006, Dr. Rubin was a member of the Executive Board of Schering AG since joining the company in October 2003, as well as Chairman of Schering Berlin Inc. and President of Berlex Pharmaceuticals, a division of Schering AG. From 1990 until August 2003, Dr. Rubin was employed by GlaxoSmithKline where he held positions of responsibility in global clinical and commercial development overseeing programs in the United States, Europe, Asia and Latin America. From 2001 through 2003 at GlaxoSmithKline, he was Senior Vice President of Global Clinical Pharmacology & Discovery Medicine. Dr. Rubin holds an M.D. from Cornell University Medical College and is board certified in internal medicine with subspecialties in medical oncology and infectious diseases. Dr. Rubin is a member of the Board of Directors of Curis Inc. (Nasdaq: CRIS) and formerly served on the Board of Directors of Medarex, Inc., now a subsidiary of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. We believe Mr. Rubin’s qualifications to sit on our Board of Directors includes his extensive executive leadership and management experience in the pharmaceutical industry.

Peter G. Traber, M.D., a director since February 2009, became President and Chief Executive Officer in March 2011, and is also our Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Traber is President Emeritus, and from 2003 to 2008 was President and Chief Executive Officer, of Baylor College of Medicine. From 2000 to 2003 he was Senior Vice President Clinical Development and Medical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer of GlaxoSmithKline plc. Dr. Traber was the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of TerraSep, LLC, a Mountain View, CA biotechnology company. He also has served as Chief Executive Officer of the University of Pennsylvania Health System, as well as Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine and Chief of Gastroenterology for the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Dr. Traber received his M.D. from Wayne State School of Medicine and a B.S. in chemical engineering from the University of Michigan. We believe that Dr. Traber is best situated to sit on our Board of Directors because, in addition to serving as our Chief Executive Officer and President as well as serving as our Chief Medical Officer, he brings extensive industry and company-specific experience and expertise to the Company.

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Executive officers, key employees and key consultants:

Peter G. Traber, MD. Chief Executive Officer and President (see Board of Directors)

James C. Czirr, Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board (see Board of Directors)

Harold Shlevin, Ph.D., age 63, became our Chief Operating Officer and Secretary on October 1, 2012. Dr. Shlevin previously had been employed at the Georgia Institute of Technology’s Advanced Technology Development Center as Principle and Manager of bioscience commercialization efforts since November 2009, where he has assisted faculty in identifying technology worthy of commercialization, catalyzed formation of new start-up bioscience companies, and mentored new company management. From October 2008 to November 2009, he served as Head of Operations and Commercial Development for Altea Therapeutics Corporation, an advanced drug delivery company focused on the delivery of therapeutic levels of water-soluble biotherapeutics and small drugs through the skin. At Altea, he was responsible for pharmaceutical research and development, clinical research, regulatory affairs, engineering, clinical and commercial manufacturing, quality assurance, information technology, facility operations and finance. From July 2006 to September 2008, Dr. Shlevin served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Tikvah Therapeutics, Inc., a start-up pharmaceutical enterprise focused on later-stage development of neuroscience therapeutics. From May 2000 to January 2006, he served as President and CEO of Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (US). In January 2006, he was promoted to a global senior Vice President role within Solvay Pharmaceuticals, SA and member of the Board of Solvay Pharmaceuticals, SA.

Thomas A. McGauley, age 40, became our Chief Financial Officer on March 6, 2012, and previously since 2009 had been our Director of Finance and Accounting. From November 2005 to January 2010, Mr. McGauley was the Director of Financial Reporting at deCODE genetics, a former NASDAQ listed international life sciences company headquartered in Iceland. Mr. McGauley previously spent more than seven years in public accounting, most recently as a manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he specialized in life science companies from 2003 to 2005. He has also served as a Captain and Company Commander in the U.S. Army and Massachusetts National Guard. Mr. McGauley is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Stonehill College.

J. Rex Horton, age 43, effective January 15, 2013 the Company appointed Mr. Horton as its Executive Director of Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance. Mr. Horton most recently was Director of Regulatory Affairs at Chelsea Therapeutics, where he successfully led the organization through its first NDA filing and favorable FDA Advisory Committee Meeting. In past leadership roles at Solvay Pharmaceuticals and Abbott Laboratories, he led approval efforts for key products including Androgel^® Stickpack, Creon^® Capsules and Luvox^® CR Capsules. He has also provided chemistry, manufacturing and controls (CMC) regulatory leadership and support of INDs and NDAs, including Estrogel^® and Androgel^® Pump. Mr. Horton was a member of the executive leadership team that successfully implemented solutions to significant regulatory issues encountered by Solvay in its interactions with the FDA. Mr. Horton earned his Bachelor’s degree in industrial/manufacturing & systems engineering from The Georgia Institute of Technology. He is a member of the Regulatory Affairs Professional Society (RAPS), Drug Information Association (DIA) and American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS).

Eliezer Zomer, Ph.D., age 66, has been our Executive Vice President of Manufacturing and Product Development since the company’s inception in 2000. Prior to joining our company, Dr. Zomer had been the founder of Alicon Biological Control, where he served from November 2000 to July 2002. From December 1998 to July 2000, Dr. Zomer served as Vice President of product development at SafeScience, Inc. and Vice President of Research and Development at Charm Sciences, Inc. from June 1987 to November 1998. Dr. Zomer received a B. Sc. degree in industrial microbiology from the University of Tel Aviv in 1972, a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Massachusetts in 1978, and undertook a post-doctoral study at the National Institute of Health.

Anatole Klyosov, Ph.D., D.Sc., age 65, served as our Chief Scientist since the company’s inception in 2000 until March 2013, is Founder Emeritus and currently serves on our scientific advisory board. Dr. Klyosolv is a co-inventor of our patented technology and a founder of Galectin Therapeutics. Dr. Klyosov was vice president,

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research and development for Kadant Composites, Inc., a subsidiary of Kadant, Inc. (KAI-NYSE), where he directed, since 1996, a laboratory performing work in biochemistry, microbiology and polymer engineering. From 1990 to 1998, Dr. Klyosov was visiting professor of biochemistry, Center for Biochemical and Biophysical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, and from 1981 to 1990 he was professor and head of the Carbohydrates Research Laboratory at the A.N. Bach Institute of Biochemistry, USSR Academy of Sciences. Dr. Klyosov was elected as a member of the World Academy of Art and Sciences and is the recipient of distinguished awards including the USSR National Award in Science and Technology. He has published more than 250 peer- reviewed articles in scientific journals, authored books on enzymes, carbohydrates, and biotechnology, edited two books: Carbohydrates in Drug Design and Galectins, and holds more than 20 patents. Dr. Klyosov earned his Ph.D. and D.Sc. degrees in physical chemistry, and an M.S. degree in enzyme kinetics, from Moscow State University.

Anthony D. Squeglia, age 70, was our Chief Financial Officer from October 2007 until March 6, 2012, and had also been our Vice President of Investor Relations. From 2001 to 2003, Mr. Squeglia was a Partner in JFS Advisors, a management consulting firm that delivered strategic services to entrepreneurial businesses that includes raising capital, business planning, positioning, branding, marketing and sales channel development. From 1996 to 2001, Mr. Squeglia was Director of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications for Quentra/Coyote Networks. Previously, Mr. Squeglia held management positions with Summa Four, Unisys, AT&T, Timeplex, Colonial Penn and ITT. Mr. Squeglia received an M.B.A. from Pepperdine University and a B.B.A. from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.

Maureen E. Foley, age 72, served as our Chief Operating Officer from October 2001 to September 30, 2012, and Corporate Secretary since September 2002 to September 30, 2012. She has 30 years of business and operations management experience including facility design, construction, and fit out, project management, IT, HR, press and public relations, accounting and finance to startup companies. Between 1999 and 2000 she managed business operations for efHealthDirect, Inc., a developer of medical records processing software; and ArsDigita, Inc., a web development company. From 1996 to 1999, she served as Manager of Operations with Thermo Fibergen, Inc., a developer of composite materials and a subsidiary of Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. Ms. Foley is a graduate of The Wyndham School, Boston, Massachusetts, with a major in Mechanical Engineering.

None of the directors, executive officers and key employees share any familial relationship.

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Board of Directors

We believe that good corporate governance is important to ensure that Galectin Therapeutics is managed for the long-term benefit of our stockholders. Our board of directors is responsible for establishing our corporate policies and overseeing the management of the company. Senior management, including our President and Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, are responsible for our day-to-day operations. The board evaluates our corporate performance and approves, among other things, corporate strategies, objectives, operating plans, significant policies and major commitments of corporate resources. The board also evaluates and elects our executive officers, and determines their compensation.

Our Board currently consists of eleven directors, eight of whom will stand for election at our 2013 annual meeting of stockholders and two of whom are nominated and elected by the holder of our Series B preferred stock voting as a separate class.

Committees of the Board

Our board of directors has standing Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees. From time to time, the board may also create various ad hoc committees for special purposes. The membership during the last fiscal year and the function of each of the Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees are described below. The board has determined that all of the members of each of the Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees are independent as defined under the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market, including, in the case of all members of the Audit Committee, the independence requirements contemplated by Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. The charters of each committee are available on the Company’s website at www.galectintherapeutics.com.

Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee met two times in 2012. The members of this committee are Rod D. Martin (chair), Gilbert F. Amelio, Ph.D. and Arthur R. Greenberg. The Committee is responsible for reviewing and recommending compensation policies and programs, management and corporate goals, as well as salary and benefit levels for our executive officers and other significant employees. Its responsibilities include supervision and oversight of the administration of our incentive compensation and stock programs and, as such, the Committee is responsible for administration of grants and awards to directors, officers, employees, consultants and advisors under our 2001 Stock Incentive Plan, 2003 Non-employee Director Stock Incentive Plan and the 2009 Incentive Compensation Plan.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee met four times in 2012. The members of this committee were Steven Prelack (chair), Jerald K. Rome and Kevin D. Freeman. The Board is currently contemplating additions to the committee in light of Mr. Rome’s retirement at the 2013 Annual Meeting. The Audit Committee is responsible for oversight of the quality and integrity of the accounting, auditing and reporting practices of Galectin Therapeutics. More specifically, it assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities relating to (i) the quality and integrity of our financial statements, reports and related information provided to stockholders, regulators and others, (ii) our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (iii) the qualifications, independence and performance of our independent registered public accounting firm, (iv) the internal control over financial reporting that management and the Board have established, and (v) the audit, accounting and financial reporting processes generally. The Committee is also responsible for review and approval of related-party transactions. The Board has determined that Mr. Prelack is an “audit committee financial expert” within the meaning of SEC rules. The Audit Committee has the authority to obtain advice and assistance from, and receive appropriate funding from the Company for, outside legal, accounting or other advisors as it deems necessary to carry out its duties.

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Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met once in 2012. The members of this committee were Rod D. Martin (chair), Jerald K. Rome and Gilbert F. Amelio, Ph.D. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for identifying individuals qualified to become members of the Board, and to recommend to the Board, candidates for election or re-election as directors and for reviewing our governance policies in light of the corporate governance rules of the SEC. Under its charter, the Committee is required to establish and recommend criteria for service as a director, including matters relating to professional skills and experience, board composition, potential conflicts of interest and manner of consideration of individuals proposed by management or stockholders for nomination. The Committee believes candidates for the Board should have the ability to exercise objectivity and independence in making informed business decisions; extensive knowledge, experience and judgment; the highest integrity; loyalty to the interests of Galectin Therapeutics and its stockholders; a willingness to devote the extensive time necessary to fulfill a director’s duties; the ability to contribute to the diversity of perspectives present in board deliberations, and an appreciation of the role of the corporation in society. The Committee will consider candidates meeting these criteria who are suggested by directors, management, stockholders and other advisers hired to identify and evaluate qualified candidates.

Director Independence

The Company’s Corporate Governance provides that a majority of the members of the Board, and each member of the Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees, must meet certain criteria for independence. Under applicable NASDAQ rules, a director will only qualify as an “independent director” if, in the opinion of our board of directors, that person does not have a relationship which would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director.

Based on the NASDAQ rules, Messrs. Freeman, Martin, Mauldin, Prelack, Pressler and Rome and Drs. Amelio and Rubin were determined by the Board to be independent. As employees of Galectin Therapeutics, Dr. Traber and Mr. Czirr are not considered independent. Also, none of the non-employee directors has any relationship with the Company other than being a director and stockholder, or any transaction or arrangement that interferes with each director’s independence.

Policies with Respect to Transactions with Related Persons

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board have adopted a Code of Ethics, which is available at www.galectintherapeutics.com, that sets forth various policies and procedures intended to promote the ethical behavior of the Company’s employees, officers and directors. The Code of Ethics describes our policy on conflicts of interest. This committee also monitors the ethical behavior of our employees, officers and directors.

The executive officers and the Board are also required to complete a questionnaire on an annual basis which requires them to disclose any related person transactions and potential conflicts of interest. The responses to these questionnaires are reviewed by outside corporate counsel, and, if a transaction is reported by an independent director or executive officer, the questionnaire is submitted to the Chairperson of the Audit Committee for review. If necessary, the Audit Committee will determine whether the relationship is material and will have any effect on the director’s independence. After making such determination, the Audit Committee will report its recommendation on whether the transaction should be approved or ratified by the entire Board.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

Since the beginning of fiscal 2012, we did not participate in any transactions in which any of the director nominees, Class B directors, executive officers, any beneficial owner of more than 5% of our common stock, nor any of their immediate family members, had a direct or indirect material interest.

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Our Audit Committee Charter requires that members of the Audit Committee, all of whom are independent directors, conduct an appropriate review of, and be responsible for the oversight of, all related party transactions on an ongoing basis. There were no related party transactions in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.

Director Nomination Process

The Nominating and Corporate Governance, or Nominating Committee, is responsible for, among other things, selection of candidates for the annual slate of Directors.

When identifying and evaluating candidates, the Nominating Committee first determines whether there are any evolving needs of the Board that require an expert in a particular field. The Nominating Committee may retain a third-party search firm to assist it in locating qualified candidates that meet the needs of the Board at that time. The search firm would provide information on a number of candidates, which the Nominating Committee discusses. The Nominating Committee chair and some or all of the members of the Nominating Committee, and the Chief Executive Officer, will interview potential candidates that the Nominating Committee deems appropriate. If the Nominating Committee determines that a potential candidate meets the needs of the Board, has the qualifications, and meets the independence standards required by NASDAQ rules, it will recommend the nomination of the candidate to the Board.

It is the Nominating Committee’s policy to consider director candidates recommended by stockholders, if such recommendations are properly submitted to the Company. Stockholders wishing to recommend persons for consideration by the Nominating Committee as nominees for election to the Board can do so by writing to the Secretary of Galectin Therapeutics Inc. at 4960 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Suite 240, Norcross, GA 30071. Recommendations must include the proposed nominee’s name, biographical data and qualifications, as well as a written statement from the proposed nominee consenting to be named and, if nominated and elected, to serve as a director. Recommendations must also follow the Company’s procedures for nomination of directors by stockholders (see Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee; Criteria and Diversity). The Nominating Committee will consider the candidate and the candidate’s qualifications in the same manner in which it evaluates nominees identified by the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee may contact the stockholder making the nomination to discuss the qualifications of the candidate and the stockholder’s reasons for making the nomination. The Nominating Committee may then interview the candidate if it deems the candidate to be appropriate. The Nominating Committee may use the services of a third-party search firm to provide additional information about the candidate prior to making a recommendation to the Board.

The Nominating Committee’s nomination process is designed to ensure that the Nominating Committee fulfills its responsibility to recommend candidates that are properly qualified to serve the Company for the benefit of all of its stockholders, consistent with the standards established by the Nominating Committee under our corporate governance principles. The Nominating Committee did not receive any recommendations from shareholders for the 2013 Annual Meeting.

Communication with the Board

The Board and management encourage communication from our stockholders. Stockholders who wish to communicate with our management should direct their communication to the Secretary of the Board, Galectin Therapeutics Inc., 4960 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Suite 240, Norcross, GA 30071. Stockholders, or other interested parties, who wish to communicate with the non-management directors or any individual director should direct their communication c/o the Secretary at the address above. The Secretary will forward communications intended for the Board to the Vice Chairman of the Board, currently Mr. Martin, or, if intended for an individual director, to that director. If multiple communications are received on a similar topic, the Secretary may, in his or her discretion, forward only representative correspondence. Any communications that are abusive, in bad taste or present safety or security concerns may be handled differently.

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Board Leadership Structure

The Board believes that our Executive Chairman is best situated to serve as Chairman of the Board because he is the director who was a co-founder of the Company and is very familiar with our business and industry, and capable of effectively identifying sources of capital as well as strategic priorities. Independent directors and management have different perspectives and roles in strategy development. Our independent directors bring experience, oversight and expertise from outside the company and industry. Our Chief Executive Officer brings company-specific experience and expertise. The Board believes that the separate roles of the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer promotes strategy development and execution, and facilitates information flow between management and the Board, which are essential to effective governance.

One of the key responsibilities of the Board is to develop strategic direction and hold management accountable for the execution of strategy once it is developed. The Board believes the separate roles of the Executive Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer is in the best interest of stockholders because it provides the appropriate balance between strategy development and independent oversight of management.

Executive Sessions

Pursuant to our corporate governance principles or as required by NASDAQ rules, non-management directors of the Board meet from time to time without the presence of management. The Vice Chair of the Board chairs these sessions.

Meeting Attendance

During 2012, there were seven meetings of the Board. Each director, except for Mr. Mauldin and Mr. Prelack, attended at least 75% of the total meetings of the Board and committees of the Board of which the director was a member. In addition to participation at Board and committee meetings, our directors discharge their responsibilities throughout the year through personal meetings and other communications, including considerable telephone contact with the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and others regarding matters of interest and concern to the Company.

We do not have a formal policy requiring members of the Board to attend the annual meeting, although all directors are strongly encouraged to attend. At the 2012 annual meeting of stockholders, nine of the then current board members were present.

Risk Management

The Board has an active role, as a whole and also at the committee level, in overseeing management of our risks. The Board regularly reviews information regarding our credit, liquidity and operations, as well as the risks associated with each. The Compensation Committee of our Board is responsible for overseeing the management of risks relating to our executive compensation plans and arrangements. The Audit Committee of our Board oversees management of financial risks. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of our Board manages risks associated with the independence of the Board members and potential conflicts of interest. While each committee is responsible for evaluating certain risks and overseeing the management of such risks, the entire Board of Directors is regularly informed through committee reports about such risks.

Criteria and Diversity

In considering whether to recommend any candidate for inclusion in the Board’s slate of recommended director nominees, including candidates recommended by shareholders, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will apply the criteria set forth in governance guidelines. These criteria include the candidate’s integrity, business acumen, age, experience, commitment, diligence, conflicts of interest and the ability to act in the interests of all shareholders. Our guidelines specify that the value of diversity on the Board

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should be considered by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in the director identification and nomination process. The Committee seeks nominees with a broad diversity of experience, professions, skills, geographic representation and backgrounds. The Committee does not assign specific weights to particular criteria and no particular criterion is necessarily applicable to all prospective nominees. We believe that the backgrounds and qualifications of the directors, considered as a group, should provide a significant composite mix of experience, knowledge and abilities that will allow the Board to fulfill its responsibilities. Nominees are not discriminated against on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability or any other basis proscribed by law.

Report of the Audit Committee

The Audit Committee is responsible for providing independent, objective oversight of Galectin Therapeutics’ accounting functions and internal control over financial reporting. The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed audited financial statements for Galectin Therapeutics with management. The Audit Committee also has discussed with McGladrey LLP the matters required to be discussed by the Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, Communication With Audit Committees (as amended), which includes, among other items, matters related to the conduct of the annual audit of our company’s financial statements. The Audit Committee has also received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from McGladrey LLP, required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the communications by McGladrey LLP with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with McGladrey LLP, its independence from Galectin Therapeutics.

Based upon the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to our Board of Directors that the audited financial statements of Galectin Therapeutics for the 2012 fiscal year be included in the Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

By the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of Galectin Therapeutic Inc.

Steven Prelack, Chair

Kevin D. Freeman

Jerald K. Rome

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DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

The following table details the total compensation earned by our non-employee directors during the year ended December 31, 2012.

Name	Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)			Option Awards ($)(2)(4)		All Other Compensation ($)(3)		Total ($)
Gilbert F. Amelio, Ph.D.		12,000			—		—		12,000
James C. Czirr(1)		—			—		—		—
Kevin D. Freeman		—			—		—		—
Arthur R. Greenberg		—			—		—		—
Rod D. Martin		84,000	(5)		—		—		84,000
John Mauldin		—			—		—		—
Steven Prelack		72,000	(6)		—		—		72,000
H. Paul Pressler		—			—		—		—
Jerald K. Rome		—			—		—		—
Marc Rubin, M.D.		12,000			—		—		12,000
Peter G. Traber, M.D.(1)		—			—		—		—

(1) Director compensation terminated after becoming an employee in 2011; compensation included in Employee Compensation.

(2) Represents the aggregate grant date fair value of options granted in 2012, but not actual amounts paid to or realized during 2012. The value as of the grant date for stock options is recognized over the period of service required for the stock awards to vest in full.

(3) Excludes travel expense reimbursements.

(4) The aggregate number of shares subject to option awards held by each director (representing unexercised options awards – both exercisable and un-exercisable) at December 31, 2012 is as follows:

Name	Number of Shares Subject to Option Awards Held as of December 31, 2012			Number of Shares Subject to Warrant Awards Held as of December 31, 2012
Gilbert F. Amelio, Ph.D.		14,188			—
James C. Czirr		666,667	(7)		—
Kevin D. Freeman		14,815			—
Arthur R. Greenberg		17,735			—
Rod D. Martin		97,522			—
John Mauldin		14,815			—
Steven Prelack		103,945			—
H. Paul Pressler		14,815			—
Jerald K. Rome		105,903			—
Marc Rubin, M.D.		16,495			—
Peter G. Traber, M.D.		1,336,669	(9)		100,000	(8)
TOTAL		2,403,569			100,000

(5) Compensation for service as Vice-Chairman and Director.

(6) Compensation for service as Audit Committee Chairman.

(7) 166,667 of these options were compensation for service as Chairman of the Board during the period prior to appointment as Executive Chairman.

(8) Compensation for service as interim Chief Medical Officer prior to appointment as Chief Executive Officer and President.

(9) Granted as incentive for services as Chief Executive Officer and President.

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There were no option grants to our board members (other than for employee board members for services unrelated to board duties) during fiscal 2012. Option grants were made to our current board members during fiscal 2011 which vested over a two year period.

For a more detailed description of the assumptions used for purposes of determining grant date fair value, see Note 10 to the Financial Statements and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates — Stock-Based Compensation” included in the Form 10-K for the 2012 fiscal year.

We also reimburse our directors for travel and other related expenses.

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

The following table provides information as of December 31, 2012 about the securities issued, or authorized for future issuance, under our equity compensation plans, consisting of our 2001 Stock Incentive Plan, our 2003 Non-Employee Director Stock Incentive Plan, and our 2009 Incentive Compensation Plan.

Plan Category	Number of Securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options		Weighted- average exercise price of outstanding options		Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a))
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders		2,099,916	$	4.53		1,417,808
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders(1)		1,440,045	$	7.30		—
Total		3,539,961	$	5.66		1,417,808

(1) Represents grants by the Board of Directors for stock options granted to employees and consultants that are outside of the shareholder approved compensation plans. The shares underlying these grants are not registered upon exercise and have six month holding restrictions under Rule 144 of the SEC.

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PROPOSAL NO. 2

NON-BINDING ADVISORY RESOLUTION TO APPROVE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act amended Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which now requires that we provide our shareholders with the opportunity to vote to approve, on a nonbinding, advisory basis, the compensation of our named executives officers as disclosed in this proxy statement in accordance with the Compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

As described in more detail below, under Compensation of Named Executive Officers, we seek to closely align the interests of our named executive officers with the interests of our shareholders. Our compensation programs are designed to reward our named executive officers for the achievement of short-term and long-term strategic and operational goals and the achievement of increased total shareholder return.

This vote is advisory, which means that the vote on executive compensation is not binding on the Company, our Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. However, we welcome input from our shareholders regarding executive compensation and other matters related to the company’s success generally. We believe in a corporate governance structure that is responsive to shareholder concerns and we view this vote as a meaningful opportunity to gauge shareholder approval of our executive compensation policies.

Given the information provided in this proxy statement, the Board of Directors asks you to approve and vote FOR the following non-binding resolution at our Meeting:

“RESOLVED, that the Company’s shareholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the named executive officers, as disclosed in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Summary Compensation Table and the other related tables and disclosure.”

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COMPENSATION OF NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The following table summarizes the compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.

Summary Compensation Table

Name and Principal Position	Year		Salary ($)		Bonus ($)		Option Awards ($) (1)		All Other Compensation ($)			Total ($)
Peter G. Traber, M.D.		2012		314,946		25,000		713,332		36,021	(6)		1,089,299
Chief Executive Officer & President (2)		2011		147,500		—		5,563,537		22,811	(7)		5,733,848
James C. Czirr		2012		212,503		—		—		79,689	(8)		292,192
Executive Chairman and Director (3)		2011		92,502		—		3,036,375		39,154	(9)		3,168,031
Harold Shlevin, Ph.D.,		2012		50,000		25,000		473,381		8,908	(10)		557,289
Chief Operating Officer (4)
Maureen Foley,		2012		286,535		—		—		9,259	(11)		295,794
Chief Operating Officer (5)		2011		148,124		60,000		—		25,016	(12)		233,140

(1) Amounts represent the aggregate grant date fair value of option awards for fiscal 2012 and 2011, respectively, but not the actual amounts paid to or realized by the named executive officer for the awards during 2012 and 2011. The value as of the grant date for stock options is recognized over the number of days of service required or the achievement of certain specified milestones for the grant to become vested.

The following table includes the assumptions used to calculate the grant date fair value reported for fiscal years 2012 and 2011 on a grant-by-grant basis. On March 23, 2012, we effected a one-for-six reverse split of our common stock, and the number of shares of common stock has been adjusted to reflect the reverse split.

Name	Grant Date		Options Granted (#)			Exercise Price ($)		Assumptions								Grant Date Fair Value Per Share ($)
								Volatility (%)		Expected Life (Years)		Risk-Free Interest Rate (%)		Dividend Yield (%)
Peter G. Traber, M.D.		03/07/2011		666,667			6.96		131		5.0		2.19		0		6.00
		03/07/2011		83,334	*		6.96		110		5.32		3.51		0		6.00	**
		03/07/2011		83,334	*		6.96		110		5.76		3.51		0		6.06	**
		05/26/2011		83,334			7.56		132		5.76		3.51		0		6.06
		05/23/2012		420,000			2.08		118		5.0		0.78		0		1.70
James C. Czirr		06/28/2011		500,000			7.02		132		5.0		1.47		0		6.06
Harold H. Shlevin, Ph.D.		08/27/2012		250,000			2.32		106		5.0		0.70		0		1.89

* 83,334 options each vest as of a $5 and $10 billion market capitalization, respectively, of our common stock.

** valued using a Monte Carlo valuation model.

(2) Chief Executive Officer from March 17, 2011.

(3) Became an employee as of June 28, 2011.

(4) Chief Operating Officer from October 1, 2012.

(5) Resigned effective September 30, 2012.

(6) Includes $28,406 for health insurance and $7,615 for retirement plan contributions.

(7) Includes $21,911 for health insurance and $900 for retirement plan contributions.

(8) Includes $26,139 for health insurance, $5,550 for retirement plan contributions and $48,000 for office and assistant services.

(9) Includes $15,154 for health insurance and $24,000 for office and assistant services.

(10) Includes $7,059 for health insurance and $1,849 for retirement plan contributions.

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(11) Includes $5,884 for health insurance expenses and $3,375 for retirement plan contributions.

(12) Includes $16,691 for health insurance expenses and $8,325 for retirement plan contributions.

Material Terms of Employment Contracts of Named Executive Officers

Peter G. Traber, M.D., Chief Executive Officer and President

On May 26, 2011, we entered into an Employment Agreement with Dr. Traber for a three year term beginning March 17, 2011, which shall continue for up to two one-year additional terms unless either party provides at least 6 months’ prior notice that the employment shall not continue. The Agreement provides for an annual salary during the initial year in the amount of $195,000, which may be adjusted beginning the second year based on industry surveys of executive compensation in comparable companies, but shall not be less than $300,000. Dr. Traber is entitled to (i) participate in incentive, retirement, profit-sharing, life, medical, disability and other plans generally available to our senior executives at our expense, (iv) an apartment and use of an automobile while he was in residence near our former Newton, Massachusetts offices, and (v) weekly air-fare from his family’s residence anywhere in the 48 contiguous states.

The Agreement provides that Dr. Traber shall receive severance equal to one year of his then salary, two years’ medical coverage, and immediate vesting of all unvested warrants and options if his employment is terminated (i) by the Company “without cause,” (ii) by Dr. Traber for “good reason,” or (iii) following a “change of control” (as each term is defined in the Agreement). If Dr. Traber’s employment is terminated “for cause,” as defined in the Agreement, subject to “cure rights” in certain instances, he is not entitled to severance other than medical insurance coverage pursuant to COBRA.

The Agreement provides that during its term Dr. Traber shall not engage in any business competitive with the Company, and thereafter he shall not (i) accept for 12 months business from of our customers or accounts relating to “competing products” or services of the Company, or (ii) render services for 6 months to any “competing organization” (as such terms are defined in the Agreement). The Agreement also contains provisions binding on Dr. Traber with respect to (i) protection of our confidential information; (ii) requirements to disclose and assign inventions or other intellectual property to the Company; (iii) non-solicitation of our executives, or persons with whom we have a business relationship such as investors, suppliers and customers; and (iv) advance review and approval of all writings he proposes to publish.

As contemplated by the Agreement, on May 26, 2011, our Board of Directors granted Dr. Traber 125,000 fully-vested stock options exercisable for 10 years at $7.50 per share. In addition, the Agreement (i) accelerates the vesting 100,000 warrants that we granted to Dr. Traber in consideration of his service to the Company as Chief Medical Officer on a consultant basis prior his becoming an executive officer, (ii) amends our prior grant of 833,334 stock options to include a cashless exercise provision, and (iii) limits the number of vested options under Dr. Traber’s prior grants to a maximum of 833,334 at any one time. The Agreement requires us to register the offer and sale of the shares underlying such options and warrants. Dr. Traber also agreed not to sell any securities of the Company until after his obligation to report transactions in our securities has expired.

James C. Czirr, Executive Chairman

On June 28, 2011, we entered into an employment agreement with James C. Czirr, Executive Chairman of the Company for a three year term beginning June 28, 2011, which may continue for up to two one-year additional terms. The agreement provides for an annual salary of $185,000 for the first year of the initial term and $240,000 for the second and third years. We will negotiate salary if Mr. Czirr’s employment continues during the one-year terms subsequent to the initial term. Mr. Czirr is entitled to (i) participate in incentive, retirement, profit-sharing, life, medical, disability and other plans generally available to senior executives of the Company, (ii) $2,000,000 life insurance coverage and long-term disability insurance at Company expense, and (iii) expense reimbursement including up to $4,000 per month, unless otherwise approved, for office expenses.

The agreement provides that Mr. Czirr shall receive severance equal to one year of his then salary, two years’ medical coverage, and immediate vesting of all unvested options if his employment is terminated (i) by the

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Company “without cause,” (ii) by Mr. Czirr for “good reason,” or (iii) following a “change of control” (as defined in the Agreement). If his employment is terminated “for cause”, subject to “cure rights” in certain instances, he is not entitled to severance.

The agreement provides that during its term Mr. Czirr shall not engage in any business competitive with the Company. Following employment, Mr. Czirr shall not (i) accept for 12 months business from our customers or accounts relating to “competing products” or services, or (ii) render services for 6 months to any “competing organization” (as such are defined in the agreement). The agreement also contains provisions binding on Mr. Czirr with respect to (i) protection of our confidential information; (ii) requirements to disclose and assign inventions or other intellectual property to us; (iii) non-solicitation of our executives, or persons with whom we have a business relationship; and (iv) advance review and approval of all writings he proposes to publish.

As contemplated by the agreement, our Board of Directors on June 28, 2011, granted Mr. Czirr 500,000 stock options exercisable at $7.02 per share of our common stock, which vest in twenty equal installments of 25,000 shares beginning 90 days after the grant date, provided Mr. Czirr is employed on the applicable vesting date. We also agreed to register the offer and sale of the shares underlying such options. Mr. Czirr agreed not to loan or pledge securities of the Company until after his obligation to report transactions in our securities has expired, and not to effect short sales of our securities for 5 years after termination of the agreement.

Harold H. Shlevin, Ph.D., Chief Operating Officer

We entered into an employment agreement with Dr. Shlevin on August 27, 2012 in conjunction with Dr. Shlevin’s appointment as our Chief Operating Officer. The Agreement provides for an initial term from October 1, 2012 through December 31, 2014, and automatically renews for additional one-year periods unless otherwise terminated pursuant to the terms of the Agreement by either party. In accordance with the terms of the Agreement, Dr. Shlevin will receive an initial base salary of $200,000 per year and will receive an annual performance bonus for calendar year 2013 between $20,000 and $40,000, based on the achievement of individual performance goals. He will be eligible for a performance bonus for calendar year 2014 of up to $50,000, based on individual and Company performance. The Agreement also provides for a one-time signing bonus of $25,000 and a grant of options to purchase 250,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. The exercise price of the options is equal to the closing price of the Company’s stock price on August 27, 2012, and 50,000 shares vested upon execution of the Agreement, 50,000 shares will vest on December 31, 2012, 75,000 shares will vest on December 31, 2013, and 75,000 shares will vest on December 31, 2014. The options were granted pursuant to the Company’s Amended and Restated 2009 Incentive Compensation Plan and expire ten years after the date of grant. Dr. Shlevin’s agreement also contains various provisions related to Termination for “Cause” and/or “Without Cause” and/or for “Good Reason” as well as various Change of Control provisions.

Maureen Foley, former Chief Operating Officer

We entered into an Employment Agreement with Ms. Foley dated January 19, 2009, under which she was entitled to receive an annual salary of $185,000 per year and participate in company employee benefit plans. On March 8, 2011, we entered into an Amended Employment Agreement with her which superseded her prior employment agreement. Under the amended Agreement, Ms. Foley was engaged for a one-year term ending March 6, 2012 at a base salary of $150,000 and was entitled to participate in the Company’s standard employee benefits plan, vacation and up to 40 days personal time off in respect of prior service to the Company. On March 1, 2012, the agreement was extended until June 30, 2012. If we terminated Ms. Foley without “cause” or she terminated her employment for “good reason,” as defined in the Agreement, she was entitled to all compensation and benefits through the end of the term and a severance comprised of six months base salary and continued employee benefits. If terminated for cause, she was entitled to six months base salary. The Agreement also provided for a $60,000 signing bonus, a $50,000 lump sum payment and $25,000 transition bonus payment payable by stated dates even if Ms. Foley was terminated for any reason. Ms. Foley resigned effective September 30, 2012. In September 2012, Ms. Foley’s outstanding options were modified to extend the exercisability of the options from ninety days post-employment to the remaining legal life of the option awards.

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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End 2012

The following table provides information with respect to outstanding stock options held by the named executive officers in the Summary Compensation Table as of December 31, 2012. On March 23, 2012, we effected a one-for-six reverse split of our common stock. All common share and per share amounts shown in the table have been adjusted to reflect the reverse split.

Name	Option Grant Date		Stock Option Awards						Option Exercise Price Per Share($)		Option Expiration Date
			Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options; # Exercisable			Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options; # Un-Exercisable
Peter G. Traber, M.D. (2)		03/07/2011		125,000	(1)		708,334	(1)		6.96		03/07/2021
		05/26/2011		83,334			—			7.56		05/26/2021
		05/23/2012		120,000	(3)		300,000	(3)		2.08		05/23/2022
James C. Czirr		02/01/2010		166,667			—			7.56		02/01/2015
		06/28/2011		150,000	(4)		350,000	(4)		7.02		06/28/2021
Harold H. Shlevin, Ph.D.		08/27/2012		100,000	(5)		150,000	(5)		2.32		08/27/2022
Maureen Foley		09/02/2003		108,334			—			24.30		09/02/2013
		12/21/2004		12,500			—			11.40		12/21/2014
		04/10/2008		25,000			—			2.64		04/10/2013
		04/21/2009		12,500			—			2.88		04/21/2014
		02/01/2010		33,334			—			1.80		02/01/2020

(1) 125,000 options vested on the grant date, 104,667 options vest on the first and second anniversaries of the grant date, 83,333 options vest on the third and fourth anniversaries of the grant date and 166,667 options vest on the fifth anniversary of the grant date. The remaining 166,667 options vest upon the achievement of certain milestones. With respect to options that vest on anniversaries, exercise rights are accelerated upon achievement of certain milestones.

(2) Also owns 100,000 fully vested warrants exercisable at $4.26 per share of common stock awarded as compensation for service as interim Chief Medical Officer.

(3) 120,000 vested on May 23, 2012, 100,000 vest on the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant date.

(4) Options vest at the rate of 25,000 per quarter for 20 quarters beginning September 28, 2011.

(5) 50,000 options vested on the grant date, 50,000 options vest on December 31, 2012, 75,000 vest on December 31, 2013 and 75,0000 options vest on December 31, 2014.

The exercise price of the options is set at the closing price of our stock at the date prior to or as of the date of grant. Outstanding options have been recommended by the Compensation Committee and adopted by the Board of Directors.

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PROPOSAL NO. 3

NON-BINDING ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY

OF SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act and recently enacted SEC rules, at least once every six years we are required to submit for shareholder vote a non-binding resolution to determine whether we should conduct our shareholder advisory vote on executive compensation every year, every two years, or every three years.

After careful consideration of the various arguments supporting each frequency level, the board of directors believes that submitting the advisory vote on executive compensation to shareholders on an annual basis (every year) is appropriate for the Company and its shareholders at this time.

The proxy card provides four choices (every one, two, or three years, or abstain). Shareholders are being asked for their vote on the frequency of the advisory vote on executive compensation, and are not voting to approve or disapprove the board’s recommendation. As such, Shareholders may choose an annual, biennial, or triennial frequency, i.e., every year, every two years, every three years, or they may abstain. The frequency option that receives the most votes will be deemed the option chosen by the advisory vote.

As with your vote on Proposal No. 2 above, your vote on this Proposal No. 3 is advisory, and therefore not binding on the Company or our board of directors. The vote will not be construed to create or imply any change to the fiduciary duties of the Company or our board of directors, or to create or imply any additional fiduciary duties for the Company or our board of directors. Although the vote is non-binding, our board of directors will consider the outcome of the frequency vote and other communications from shareholders when making future decisions regarding the frequency of such advisory votes regarding executive compensation.

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A FREQUENCY OF ANNUALLY, (“EVERY YEAR”) FOR FUTURE ADVISORY SHAREHOLDER VOTES ON COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.

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PROPOSAL NO. 4

RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

The Board of Directors has appointed McGladrey LLP as our independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013.

We expect that a representative from McGladrey will be present at the annual meeting, and accordingly, McGladrey will be given the opportunity to make a statement and respond to any questions.

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF MCGLADREY LLP, AS GALECTIN THERAPEUTICS’ INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2013.

FEES PAID TO MCGLADREY LLP

	Fiscal Year 2012
Audit Fees(1)	$	128,750
Audit-Related Fees(3)		36,873
Tax Fees(4)		—
Subtotal		—
All Other Fees(5)		—
Total Fees	$	165,623

	Fiscal Year 2011
Audit Fees(2)	$	118,450
Audit-Related Fees(3)		12,850
Tax Fees(4)		—
Subtotal		—
All Other Fees(5)		—
Total Fees	$	131,300

(1) Audit Fees.    These are fees for professional services for the audit of our annual financial statements dated December 31, 2012 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, and review of financial statements included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for such year. Additional amounts for our 2012 year end audit that were paid in 2013 and will be reported in the proxy statement for the 2014 annual meeting.

(2) Audit Fees.    These are fees for professional services for the audit of our annual financial statements dated December 31, 2011 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, and review of financial statements included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for such year. Additional amounts for our 2011 year end audit that were paid in 2012 and will be reported in the proxy statement for the 2013 annual meeting.

(3) Audit-Related Fees.    These are fees for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements, including financial disclosures made in our equity finance documentation and registration statements filed with the SEC that incorporate financial statements and the auditors’ report thereon and reviewed with our Audit Committee on financial accounting/reporting standards.

(4) Tax Fees.    These are fees for professional services with respect to tax compliance, in particular, preparation of our corporate tax returns.

(5) All Other Fees.    These are fees for all other products and services provided or performed which do not fall within one or more of the above categories.

The Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of non-core audit services to Galectin Therapeutics by McGladrey LLP is compatible with maintaining independence.

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Pre-Approval Policy and Procedures

The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors has adopted policies and procedures which set forth the manner in which the Committee will review and approve all services to be provided by the independent auditor before the auditor is retained to provide such services. The policy requires Audit Committee pre-approval of the terms and fees of the annual audit services engagement, as well as any changes in terms and fees resulting from changes in audit scope or other items. The Audit Committee also pre-approves, on an annual basis, other audit services, and audit-related and tax services set forth in the policy, subject to estimated fee levels, on a project basis and aggregate annual basis, which have been pre-approved by the Committee.

All other services performed by the auditor that are not prohibited non-audit services under SEC or other regulatory authority rules must be separately pre-approved by the Audit Committee. Amounts in excess of pre-approved limits for audit services, audit-related services and tax services require separate pre-approval of the Audit Committee.

Our Chief Financial Officer reports quarterly to the Audit Committee on the status of pre-approved services, including projected fees. All of the services reflected in the above table were approved by the Audit Committee.

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PROXY CARD

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF

GALECTIN THERAPEUTICS INC.

The undersigned appoints Peter G. Traber, M.D., Thomas A. McGauley and Harold Shlevin, Ph.D. and each of them, as proxies, each with the power of substitution, and authorizes each of them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse hereof, all of the shares of common stock of Galectin Therapeutics Inc. held of record by the undersigned at the close of business on March 27, 2013 at the 2013 annual meeting of stockholders to be held at the offices of Arnall Golden Gregory LLP, located at 171 17^th Street NW, Suite 2100, Atlanta, GA 30363 on May 23, 2013 at 9:00 (local time) or at any adjournment thereof.

(Continued, and to be marked, dated and signed, on the other side)

GALECTIN THERAPEUTICS INC.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the 2013 annual meeting of stockholders of Galectin Therapeutics Inc. to be held at the offices of Arnall Golden Gregory LLP, located at 171 17^th Street NW, Suite 2100, Atlanta, GA 30363 on May 23, 2013 at 9:00 A.M. EDT.

The Proxy Statement and Annual Report to Stockholders are available at http://www.rrdezproxy.com/2013/GalectinTherapeutics/

To Vote Your Proxy

Mark, sign and date your Proxy Card below, detach it and return it in the postage-paid envelope provided.

q FOLD AND DETACH HERE AND READ THE REVERSE SIDE q

THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED. IF NO DIRECTION IS INDICATED FOR PROPOSALS 1, 2 AND 4, EACH PROPOSAL WILL BE VOTED “FOR” THE PROPOSAL AND FOR “EVERY YEAR” FOR PROPOSAL 3.					PROXY		Please mark your votes like this	x
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS	VOTE FOR ALL NOMINEES	WITHHOLD ALL	VOTE FOR ALL EXCEPT (see instructions below)	2.	A PROPOSAL TO VOTE ON A NON-BINDING ADVISORY RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE COMPENSATION PAID TO THE COMPANY’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AS DISCLOSED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT. The Board of Directors recommends that you vote “FOR” this proposal.	FOR ¨	AGAINST ¨	ABSTAIN ¨
The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” the listed nominees.	¨	¨	¨
To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, strike a line through that nominee’s name below:
1. Gilbert F. Amelio, Ph.D. 2. Kevin D. Freeman 3. Rod D. Martin 4. John Mauldin 5. Steven Prelack 6. H. Paul Pressler 7. Marc Rubin, M.D. 8. Peter G. Traber, M.D.				3.	A PROPOSAL TO VOTE ON A NON-BINDING ADVISORY RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE FREQUENCY OF THE APPROVAL OF THE COMPENSATION PAID TO THE COMPANY’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS. The Board of Directors recommends that you vote for the frequency to be “EVERY YEAR” for this proposal.	EVERY YEAR ¨	EVERY TWO YEARS ¨	EVERY THREE YEARS ¨ ABSTAIN ¨
				4.	A PROPOSAL TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF MCGLADREY LLP AS THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM TO AUDIT THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE 2013 FISCAL YEAR. The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” this proposal	FOR ¨	AGAINST ¨	ABSTAIN ¨
				5.	In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the annual meeting

      COMPANY ID:

  PROXY NUMBER:

ACCOUNT NUMBER:

Signature: Signature (if joint): Date: , 2013

Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. When shares are held by joint owners, both should sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, personal representative, trustee or guardian, please give title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by President or other authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.