Companies involved in cancer research
Montreal Metro can pride itself for having some very promising companies developing new technologies for the treatment of cancer. Some of the key players include:
Methylgene (TSX: MYG)
President & Chief Executive Officer: Donald F. Corcoran
120 employees
MethylGene is a biopharmaceutical company focused on some of the most promising areas of oncology such as histone deacetylase (HDAC) and kinase inhibitors.
Its lead product (MGCD0103) is a rationally designed oral isotype-selective small molecule HDAC inhibitor which has been designed to be a molecular-targeted cancer therapy. It is presently in multiple clinical trials in Canada and the United States for solid tumours and haematological malignancies including Phase II monotherapy trials and Phase I/II combination trials with Vidaza®, Gemzar® and Taxotere®.
Another product is MGCD265, an oral multi-targeted kinase inhibitor targeting the c-MET, VEGFR1, VEGFR2, VEGFR3, Tie-2 and Ron receptor tyrosine kinases, which appear to play key roles in tumour development, blood vessel formation (angiogenesis) and tumour survival.
The company filed an IND for this compound in January 2008.
Ambrilia Biopharma (TSX: AMB)
President and Chief Executive Officer: Philippe Calais
50 employees
Ambrilia Biopharma is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery and development of novel treatments for viral diseases and cancer. Its anti-cancer products include:
PCK3145 is a peptide derived from one of the predominant protein found in the human seminal fluid and which is being developed for the treatment of advanced metastatic prostate cancer.
The mechanism of action suggests that PCK3145 exhibits both an anti-metastatic effect and an anti-angiogenesis effect.
Ambrilia completed a phase I/II study at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York City for PCK3145 which showed that the drug had clinical activity in metastatic prostate cancer patients and was safe and well tolerated, and was shown to increase PSA doubling time and down-regulate MMP-9.
Ambrilia also develops Goserelin, a potential first-to-market therapeutic alternative to Astra-Zeneca's Zoladex®. Goserelin is used primarily for the treatment of hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, but also for the management of certain gynecological diseases. The phase I/II study in hormone-sensitive prostate cancer patients is expected to be initiated during the first half of 2008.
Bioniche (TSX: BNC)
President & Chief Executive Officer: Graeme McRae
188 employees
Bioniche is a research-based, technology-driven Canadian biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, manufactures, and markets proprietary products for human and animal health markets worldwide.
Its Therapeutics Division is responsible for the discovery, development and commercialization of therapeutic products for use in human medicine. Using two platform technologies: mycobacterial cell wall-DNA complex (MCC) and oligonucleotides, the Division’s R&D initiatives focus on the areas of cancer and immunomodulation. Therapeutics’ product development candidates include MCC for treatment of bladder cancer, intraperitoneal cancers (ovarian, colorectal), and metastatic cancers, and a combination of MCC and hyaluronan for treatment of prostate cancer.
Bioniche first Phase III trial involves 105 patients in an open-label protocol showing the efficacy of a formulation of MCC – to be known as Urocidin™ when commercialized - as a therapy in non muscle-invasive bladder cancer that is refractory (unresponsive) to Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG).
The second Phase III trial will enrol approximately 800 patients in North America, Australia and Europe and is a double-blind, randomized study. It will compare MCC to the standard treatment for non muscle-invasive bladder cancer at high risk of recurrence or progression – BCG.
Bioniche has also completed a Phase I trial in prostate cancer with its MCC technology.
Le BCG est une souche vivante, atténuée de Mycobacterium bovis et elle est souvent associée à des effets secondaires limitant le traitement, y compris à des infections bactériennes actives.
Thallion Pharmaceuticals (TSX: TLN)
Chief Executive Officer: Lloyd M. Segal
40 employees
Thallion Pharmaceuticals is a biotechnology company focussed on developing new treatments for under-served markets in oncology and infectious diseases.
It is developing two oncology products based on targeted therapy; CAP-232, a novel seven amino-acid peptide targeting pyruvate kinase M2 (M2PK) with potential efficacy in multiple oncology indications and ECO-4601, a proprietary first-in-class small molecule derived from a nonpathogenic microorganism with the potential to treat multiple solid tumours, like the well known chemotherapeutics, doxorubicin and mitomycin C.
Thallion has completed two Phase I trials and one open-label Phase II trial in late-stage metastatic melanoma patients refractory to other anti-cancer treatments for CAP-232.
CAP-232 is also currently being evaluated in a Phase II trial in patients suffering from renal cell carcinoma who have failed to benefit from the current standard of care. In addition, Thallion intends to initiate a second Phase II trial in metastatic melanoma patients with CAP-232.
ECO-4601 is currently the subject of a Phase I/II trial designed to examine its safety, pharmacologic profile and anti-tumour efficacy for the treatment of advanced solid tumours. The company anticipates a Phase II trial for the selected indication in 2008.
Gemin X Biotechnologies
Interim CEO, Chief Scientific Officer: Gordon C. Shore
55 employees
Gemin X Biotechnologies is a privately held, development-stage biopharmaceutical company specializing in the discovery and development of novel small molecule cancer therapeutics. Its headquarter is located in Montreal while its clinical and drug development group is based in Malvern, PA.
Gemin X’s lead research programs have focused in the areas of Bcl-2 and p53 pathways and have led to the discovery of novel small molecules that selectively restore apoptosis.
Gemin X’s lead compound is the small molecule pan Bcl-2 antagonist, obatoclax, which is currently in multiple phase I and II trials. Obatoclax is specifically designed to inhibit all relevant members of the Bcl-2 protein family, a validated cancer target, thus restoring the natural cell death process of apoptosis.
The company is also developing GMX1777, a small molecule compound with potent anti-tumour activity and that has demonstrated tumour regression in prostate, breast, lung, and colon carcinomas, as well as in multiple myeloma and fibrosarcoma tumours. The company initiated a Phase I trial with GMX1777 in solid tumours and lymphomas in 2007.
Aegera
President & Chief Executive Officer: Michael J. Berendt
Aegera Therapeutics is a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on developing drugs that control apoptosis to save injured neuronal cells.
Its lead product, AEG35156, is a 2nd generation antisense molecule which is designed to lower the apoptotic threshold of cancer cells, enhancing their sensitivity to intrinsic death and chemotherapy, without harming healthy cells.
AEG35156 has completed a phase I study in monotherapy and is currently being tested in combination with Taxotere® in solid tumours and with idarubicin/araC in AML patients (phase I/IIb).
Aegera has also initiated a phase I study for LS104, a novel small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting therapeutically significant kinases such as Jak2 and Bcr-Abl.
This document had been prepared by: Montréal International
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