Pharmion and MethylGene Present Favorable Clinical Data From Combination MGCD0103/Vidaza(R) Study in Myelodysplastic Syndromes and Acute Myelogenous Leukemia at The 49th American Society of Hematology (AS...( * Recommended Phase II Dose o...),Health

* Recommended Phase II Dose of MGCD0103 Determined as 90 mg * 53% of Patients Treated with 90 mg Dose Achieved a Clinical Response * Patients with Responses Experienced a 66% Reduction in the Risk of Death

Compared to Non-responders

ATLANTA, Dec. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Pharmion Corporation (Nasdaq: PHRM) and MethylGene Inc (TSX: MYG) today announced maturing data from the Phase 1/2 study investigating the combined use of MGCD0103, a novel, isotype-selective histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, and Vidaza(R) (azacitidine for injection) in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). A 53 percent response rate (n=19) was demonstrated at the 90 mg dose with a median time to response of less than two months. The overall results indicate a 36 percent response rate for patients evaluated at all doses (n=52 evaluable patients) in this Phase 1/2 study. The data were presented in an oral presentation today at the 49th Annual Meeting and Exposition of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) in Atlanta.

"This study demonstrates the progress Pharmion has made in advancing the clinical development of these therapies in treating MDS and AML, and reinforces Pharmion's standing as a leader in epigenetic therapy," said Patrick J. Mahaffy, president and chief executive officer of Pharmion. "Together, Vidaza and MGCD0103 showcase Pharmion's highly complementary clinical hematology and oncology portfolio."

"This study and data from our other clinical trials continue to demonstrate MGCD0103's potential utility when used in combination or as a single-agent," said Donald F. Corcoran, President and Chief Executive Officer of MethylGene. "The results of this stu
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