v3.25.2

Document and Entity Information	Sep. 08, 2025
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	8-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 08, 2025
Entity File Number	001-31791
Entity Registrant Name	GALECTIN THERAPEUTICS INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0001133416
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	NV
Entity Tax Identification Number	04-3562325
Entity Address, Address Line One	4960 PEACHTREE INDUSTRIAL BOULEVARD
Entity Address, Address Line Two	STE 240
Entity Address, City or Town	NORCROSS
Entity Address, State or Province	GA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	30071
City Area Code	678
Local Phone Number	620-3186
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock $0.001par value per share
Trading Symbol	GALT
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Written Communications	false
Soliciting Material	false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer	false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer	false

Boolean flag that is true when the XBRL content amends previously-filed or accepted submission.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

Area code of city

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No definition available.

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- Definition

Cover page.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

For the EDGAR submission types of Form 8-K: the date of the report, the date of the earliest event reported; for the EDGAR submission types of Form N-1A: the filing date; for all other submission types: the end of the reporting or transition period. The format of the date is YYYY-MM-DD.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

The type of document being provided (such as 10-K, 10-Q, 485BPOS, etc). The document type is limited to the same value as the supporting SEC submission type, or the word 'Other'.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

Address Line 1 such as Attn, Building Name, Street Name

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No definition available.

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- Definition

Address Line 2 such as Street or Suite number

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No definition available.

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- Definition

Name of the City or Town

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No definition available.

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- Definition

Code for the postal or zip code

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No definition available.

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- Definition

Name of the state or province.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

A unique 10-digit SEC-issued value to identify entities that have filed disclosures with the SEC. It is commonly abbreviated as CIK.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Number 240
-Section 12
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- Definition

Indicate if registrant meets the emerging growth company criteria.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Number 240
-Section 12
-Subsection b-2

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- Definition

Commission file number. The field allows up to 17 characters. The prefix may contain 1-3 digits, the sequence number may contain 1-8 digits, the optional suffix may contain 1-4 characters, and the fields are separated with a hyphen.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

Two-character EDGAR code representing the state or country of incorporation.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

The exact name of the entity filing the report as specified in its charter, which is required by forms filed with the SEC.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Number 240
-Section 12
-Subsection b-2

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- Definition

The Tax Identification Number (TIN), also known as an Employer Identification Number (EIN), is a unique 9-digit value assigned by the IRS.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Number 240
-Section 12
-Subsection b-2

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Data Type:	dei:employerIdItemType
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- Definition

Local phone number for entity.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Number 240
-Section 13e
-Subsection 4c

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- Definition

Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Number 240
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- Definition

Title of a 12(b) registered security.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Definition

Name of the Exchange on which a security is registered.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Number 240
-Section 12
-Subsection d1-1

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- Definition

Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Number 240
-Section 14a
-Subsection 12

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- Definition

Trading symbol of an instrument as listed on an exchange.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Securities Act
-Number 230
-Section 425

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GALECTIN THERAPEUTICS INC 8-K