Overview of Cylene

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Cylene Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a private, Phase II clinical-stage pharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development and commercialization of targeted small-molecule drugs to treat life-threatening cancers. Cylene was co-founded by Daniel Von Hoff, MD, one of the leading oncology clinical investigators in the world. Dr. Von Hoff serves Cylene as the Vice President of Medical Affairs, as the Chairman of the Clinical Advisory Board and as a member of the Board of Directors. His vision to take cancer drugs seamlessly from concept to clinical proof-of-concept has shaped Cylene’s strategic plan.

Cylene has created a diverse portfolio of product candidates (see Figure below) using two separate discovery platforms, both of which are internal and proprietary and have delivered multiple agents with substantial market potential. One discovery platform creates first-in-class inhibitors of Serine/Threonine protein kinases while the other creates novel RNA Polymerase I (Pol I) Targeting Agents. Moreover, Cylene has built a strong intellectual property estate around both platforms and owns full rights to all agents in the pipeline. Cylene’s record of creativity, execution, frugality and pipeline creation and advancement have enabled the company to attract top tier corporate (Novartis BioVenture Fund, Lilly Ventures and Celgene Corporation) and classic venture capital investors (Sanderling, HBM, Bioventure Investors and others).

Cylene’s Serine/Threonine kinase inhibitor platform has generated the Phase I stage molecule CX-4945, as a highly-selective oral inhibitor of CK2, a protein kinase that promotes cell survival and is directly linked to tumorigenesis. CX-4945 is currently in Phase I clinical development against CK2-driven tumors. Additionally, the platform has delivered CX-5011, a CK2 inhibitor in late preclinical development, and CX-6258, a preclinical stage oral inhibitor of the PIM-1,2,3 kinases.

Cylene’s RNA Polymerase I Targeting Technology has generated Quarfloxin (CX-3543), a first in class agent that is in Phase II development for the treatment of carcinoid / neuroendocrine tumors (C/NET). Quarfloxin disrupts a protein: DNA complex in the abnormal nucleolus of cancer cells, thereby knocking out a critical source of support for tumor cells and selectively causing cell death. Quarfloxin is safe and well-tolerated and has completed two separate Phase I trials on different dosing schedules, during which benefit was observed in C/NET patients. In addition, CX-5461 is a late-preclinical stage agent that was designed as an oral inhibitor of the RNA polymerase I complex.

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.

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