MethylGene (Montreal, PQ)
TSX-MYG
CMDF Investment: $2,900,000.00
Focus: Cancer   Infectious Dieases  
www.methylgene.com

MethylGene's scientific platforms include three distinct and proprietary chemical approaches to inhibit cancer and other diseases using novel antisense compounds and small molecule compounds. Antisense drugs are short strands of modified DNA that; based on their sequence; can specifically target a gene and prevent it from working. While small molecule drugs such as aspirin and morphine; work on their molecular target based on their structure; antisense drugs work on their gene target; based on their sequence. Advantages of antisense drugs include increased specificity for their target and decreased toxic effects. MG98; MethylGene's lead anticancer drug candidate and inhibitor of DNA Methyltransferase; the company's first anticancer target is in Phase II trials in recurrent or metastatic squamous cell cancer of the head and neck. MethylGene has a strategic agreement with MGI PHARMA (Minneapolis; MN) to financially support the trials and other research programs.