Cylene's Mission

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Cylene Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a private pharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development and commercialization of targeted small molecule drugs to treat life-threatening cancers. Using its proprietary Ribosomal RNA Biogenesis Inhibition Technology (RABIT) to design molecules that combat drug-resistant forms of cancer, Cylene has created multiple product candidates in different stages of development. Cylene's most advanced cancer agent, Quarfloxin (CX-3543), is a Ribosmal RNA Biogenesis Inhibitor (RBI) in Phase II clinical development. Cylene also has active internal discovery programs to develop inhibitors against certain kinases that are critical to the Ribosomal RNA Biogenesis Pathway.

Cylene Product Pipeline

Cylene has a diverse product pipeline of small molecule product candidates arising from our proprietary Ribosomal RNA Biogenesis Inhibition Technology (RABIT) platform. Our most advanced anticancer agent, Quarfloxin (CX-3543), is an innovative small molecule targeted anticancer therapeutic that is currently in early-stage Phase II development in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and in late-stage Phase I clinical development in patients with solid tumors or lymphomas.

Quarfloxin QPLX/ Nucleolin Inhibitor (CX-3543)

Cylene’s most advanced product, Quarfloxin, is a small-molecule targeted cancer therapeutic agent currently in early Phase II development in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and in late Phase I trials in patients with solid tumors or lymphomas.

CK2 Inhibitor Series

The rRNA Biogenesis Pathway is dependent upon multiple proteins, including the CK2 protein kinase enzyme. Utilizing computational, biochemical and cell-based systems, we created a series of novel CK2 inhibitors demonstrating potent in vivo antitumor activity against multiple xenograft cancer models.

Pol I Inhibitor Series

As a major initiative of our RABIT™ program, novel oral small molecules are being generated against the various proteins of the Pol I transcription complex. These molecules have product profiles and chemical properties distinct from Quarfloxin. Our most advanced Pol I inhibitors demonstrate substantial oral bioavailability and potent in vivo antitumor activity in multiple xenograft cancer models.

Pol I Inhibitor (CX-3773)

CX-3773 is a Ribosomal RNA Biogenesis Inhibitor (RBI) that targets the Pol I complex and has shown impressive in vitro antitumor potency, favorable stability and PK properties, as well as potent in vivo antitumor activity in xenograft models. Because of its uniquely broad distribution in the brain, CX-3773 has the potential to be a novel compound for the treatment of brain metastases. The compound is currently in late preclinical development and is anticipated to advance to the clinic in early 2008.

Unconventional Transcription Inhibitor (CX-1300 Series)

The CX-1300 Series of synthetic anticancer agents is derived from Psorospermin, a cytotoxic natural product that inhibits Polymerase II transcription in tumor cells. Molecules in the CX-1300 Series demonstrate efficacy in a xenograft model of pancreatic cancer, and new analogs are being studied in multiple preclinical models.

Cylene Financings

Cylene has raised more than $77 million to date. In May 2001, the company completed $6.5 million Series A financing through the sale of Preferred Stock to Sanderling Ventures, Novartis BioVenture Fund, RCT BioVentures West and IngleWood Ventures. The $26.5 million Series B financing was completed in May 2005, with participation from Coastview Capital, BioVentures Investors, all Series A investors, Mitsui Venture Partners and others. In January 2007, Cylene closed a $44 million Series C financing with co-lead investors HBM BioVentures (Cayman) Ltd. and Lilly Ventures. Proceeds from the Series C financing will be used to fund human clinical trials for Phase II studies with Quarfloxin in multiple cancer indications as well as to advance two additional products into development.

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