Pharmion: Phase I Trial for MGCD0103

Pharmion (Nasdaq: PHRM) and MethylGene (TSX: MYG) announced initiation of a Phase I trial for MGCD0103, a isotype-selective histone deacetylase inhibitor in combination with Taxotere from Sanofi Aventis (NYSE: SNY) in patients with solid tumors. Taxotere is an approved chemotherapy agent marketed for use in breast, lung, prostate, gastric and head and neck cancer. Key objectives for this trial include evaluate the safety of administering these two agents together; determine the maximum tolerated dose of MGCD0103 when combined with the two fixed doses of Taxotere; define optimal doing; assess safety of the combination: quantify tumor responses and measure pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic characteristics. The trial may enroll up to 50 patients at cancer centers in North America and take 12 to 18 months to complete.