<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000914062-13-000154.txt : 20130409
<SEC-HEADER>0000914062-13-000154.hdr.sgml : 20130409
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20130409171830
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000914062-13-000154
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20121231
FILED AS OF DATE:		20130409
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20130409

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Prelack Steven
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001302315

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-31791
		FILM NUMBER:		13751727

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		7 WHEELWRIGHT ROAD
		CITY:			MEDFIELD
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02052

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GALECTIN THERAPEUTICS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001133416
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
		IRS NUMBER:				043562325
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NV
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		7 WELLS AVENUE
		STREET 2:		STE 34
		CITY:			NEWTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02459
		BUSINESS PHONE:		617-559-0033

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		7 WELLS AVENUE
		STREET 2:		STE 34
		CITY:			NEWTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02459

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	PRO PHARMACEUTICALS INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20010612
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>5</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2012-12-31</periodOfReport>

    <form3HoldingsReported>0</form3HoldingsReported>

    <form4TransactionsReported>0</form4TransactionsReported>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001133416</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>GALECTIN THERAPEUTICS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>GALT</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001302315</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Prelack Steven</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O GALECTIN THERAPEUTICS INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>4960 PEACHTREE INDUSTRIAL BLVD, STE 240</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NORCROSS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>GA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>30071</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2012-06-15</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>L</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2400</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>2.14</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2400</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Steven Prelack</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2013-04-09</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
