MethylGene Inc. (TSX:MYG) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2011.

Highlights


--  During the fourth quarter we commenced our first randomized, controlled
    Phase 2 study with MGCD290, and our two Phase 1 dose escalation studies
    with MGCD265 continued to enroll patients. 
--  On January 4th, 2012 we strengthened our management team with the
    appointment of Rachel Humphrey, MD as Executive Vice President and Chief
    Medical Officer. 
--  On November 13th, 2011 we reported final results for MGCD265 Trial 265-
    102 at the 2011 AACR-NCI-EORTC Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics
    Conference. 
--  We finished the quarter with over $29 million in cash and equivalents to
    fund our development programs. 

"Last year was a very successful year for MethylGene," said Charles Grubsztajn, President and CEO of MethylGene. "In 2011 we raised $34.5 million from thought-leading investors, made key additions to our management team and Board of Directors, reported data on MGCD265 at ASCO in June, and commenced a randomized, controlled Phase 2 trial with our first-in-class antifungal agent MGCD290. We expect continued clinical progress, and to report additional clinical data, in 2012."

International Financial Reporting Standards

The financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2011, have been prepared for the first time in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). They have been prepared: on a historical cost basis, except for financial instruments that have been measured at fair value; in accordance with IAS 1, Presentation of Financial Statements; in accordance with IFRS 1, First-time Adoption of IFRS; and in accordance with IFRS standards and IFRIC interpretations issued and effective or issued and early adopted as at the time of preparing these statements.

Fourth Quarter 2011 Financial Results Reported in Canadian Dollars

Revenues for the fourth quarter of 2011 of $468,000 were $348,000 lower versus the fourth quarter of 2010 due to lower research collaborations and contract revenues from Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. ("Otsuka"), as the research component of our collaboration agreement ended in June 2011.

Research and development expenditures, net of investment tax credits, for the fourth quarter of 2011 were $3.1 million compared to $1.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2010. This increase is mainly due to higher compensation and third-party clinical costs as we increased clinical development activities related to both of our lead programs, MGCD290 and MGCD265. These increases were partially offset by lower lease-related costs.

General and administrative expenses in the fourth quarter of 2011 were $1.0 million compared to $879,000 in the fourth quarter of 2010. This increase relates to higher compensation costs partially offset by lower professional fees.

Financial income of $82,000, relating primarily to interest income, in the fourth quarter of 2011 was $67,000 higher compared to the fourth quarter of 2010 due to increased cash balances and higher average interest rates versus the prior year. The Company recorded a foreign exchange loss of $9,000 in the fourth quarter of 2011 versus a loss of $17,000 in the fourth quarter of 2010.

The net loss and comprehensive loss for the fourth quarter of 2011 was $3.6 million, or ($0.01) per share, versus a net loss and comprehensive loss of $2.0 million or ($0.05) per share for the same period last year. The improved loss per share relates to the higher average number of shares outstanding at the respective quarter ends, partially offset by the higher loss in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to the fourth quarter of 2010.

Full Year 2011 Financial Results in Canadian Dollars

Revenues for 2011 of $3.1 million were $703,000 higher versus 2010, as higher license and up-front fees from Otsuka and Taiho Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. offset lower research collaborations and contract revenues from Otsuka as the research component of the collaboration agreement ended in June 2011.

Research and development expenditures, net of investment tax credits, for 2011 were $8.8 million versus $10.9 million for 2010. This decrease is mainly due to lower lease-related costs and lower compensation costs. Third-party clinical development costs in connection with our lead programs MGCD290 and MGCD265 were marginally higher in 2011 as compared to 2010.

General and administrative expenses in 2011 were $4.3 million versus $6.1 million in 2010. This decrease relates primarily to the one-time costs of $1.5 million associated with the departure of the previous CEO in 2010, which was partially offset by higher non-cash stock option expenses in 2011.

Financial income of $262,000 for 2011, relating primarily to interest income, was $238,000 higher versus 2010 due to increased cash balances and higher average interest rates versus the prior year. The Company recorded a foreign exchange gain of $42,000 in 2011 compared to a loss of $72,000 in 2010.

The net loss and comprehensive loss for 2011 was $9.7 million, or ($0.04) per share, versus a net loss and comprehensive loss of $14.7 million or ($0.36) per share for the same period last year. The improved loss per share relates to the higher average number of shares outstanding at the respective year ends and the lower loss in 2011 compared to 2010.

Cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities and restricted cash totaled $29.6 million as at December 31, 2011 compared to $8.6 million as at December 31, 2010. Due to increased clinical activity, the Company believes it has sufficient financial resources to carry forward its current clinical development and operating plans only into the fourth quarter of 2013.

About MethylGene

MethylGene Inc. (TSX:MYG) is a small molecule drug development company that is advancing two novel therapeutics for cancer and infectious disease in human clinical trials. The Company's lead product candidates are: MGCD290, an oral antifungal agent targeting the fungal Hos2 enzyme, that is currently in Phase 2 trials for vulvovaginal candidiasis and MGCD265, an oral Met/VEGF receptor kinase inhibitor that is in Phase 1/2 clinical trials for solid tumor cancers. MethylGene owns all rights to its lead product candidates, and has partnerships with Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Taiho Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., and EnVivo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for its other pipeline programs.

Certain statements contained in this news release, other than statements of fact that are independently verifiable at the date hereof, may constitute forward-looking statements. Such statements, based as they are on the current expectations of management of MethylGene, inherently involve numerous risks and uncertainties, known and unknown, many of which are beyond MethylGene's control. These risks and uncertainties could cause future results, performance or achievements to differ significantly from the results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such results, performance or achievements include, but are not limited to, the timing and effects of regulatory action; the continuation of collaborations; the results of clinical trials; the timing of enrollment or completion of clinical trials; the success, efficacy or safety of MGCD265, MGCD290 or mocetinostat (MGCD0103); the ability to scale up, formulate and manufacture sufficient GMP, clinical or commercialization quantities of MGCD265, MGCD290 or mocetinostat, and the relative success or the lack of success in developing and gaining regulatory approval and/or market acceptance for any compound or new product including MGCD265, MGCD290 or mocetinostat. Such risks include, but are not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, economic conditions in the pharmaceutical industry, changes in the regulatory environment in the jurisdictions in which MethylGene does business, stock market volatility, fluctuations in costs, expectations with respect to our intellectual property position and our ability to protect our intellectual property and operate our business without infringing upon the intellectual property rights of others, changes in the competitive landscape including changes in the standard of care for the various indications in which MethylGene is involved, and changes to the competitive environment due to consolidation, as well as other risks, as described in MethylGene's Annual Information Form under the heading "Risk Factors" which you are urged to read, and all other documents filed by the Company that can be found at www.sedar.com. Consequently, actual future results may differ materially from the anticipated results expressed in the forward-looking statements. The reader should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements included in this presentation. These statements speak only as an update on the date they are made and MethylGene is under no obligation to revise such statements as a result of any event, circumstance or otherwise except in accordance with law.

MethylGene Inc.

Incorporated under the Canada Business Corporation Act

STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION (unaudited)


(In thousands of Canadian                                                   
 dollars)                                                                   
As at                                                                       
                               December 31,    December 31,      January 1, 
                                       2011            2010            2010 
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ASSETS                                                                      
Current                                                                     
Cash and cash equivalents            10,050           7,361          14,210 
Marketable securities                18,878               -           3,249 
Restricted cash and                                                         
 marketable securities                  300             597               - 
Accounts and other                                                          
 receivables                            174             726             794 
Other current assets                  1,574           1,027           1,576 
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Total current assets                 30,976           9,711          19,829 
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Security deposits                        55             115             385 
Restricted cash and                                                         
 marketable securities                  355             655             614 
Property, plant and                                                         
 equipment, net                         223             430           1,173 
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Total assets                         31,609          10,911          22,001 
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LIABILITIES AND                                                             
 SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                                                       
Current                                                                     
Trade payables and accrued                                                  
 liabilities                          3,812           4,161           5,811 
Current portion of deferred                                                 
 revenues                                 -             527             584 
Current portion of provision              -             392             196 
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Total current liabilities             3,812           5,080           6,591 
                                                                            
Other liability                          28               -               - 
Deferred revenues                         -           1,771           2,529 
Provision                                 -               -             380 
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Total liabilities                     3,840           6,851           9,500 
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Shareholders' equity                                                        
Share capital                       145,685         119,189         119,189 
Warrants                              6,041               -               - 
Contributed surplus                  16,188          15,289           9,076 
Deficit                            (140,145)       (130,418)       (115,764)
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Total shareholders' equity           27,769           4,060          12,501 
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Total liabilities and                                                       
 shareholders' equity                31,609          10,911          22,001 
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STATEMENTS OF LOSS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (unaudited)


(In thousands of Canadian dollars except                                    
for share and per share amounts)                                            
                                            For the year ended December 31, 
                                            --------------------------------
                                                       2011            2010 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue                                                                     
Research collaborations and contract                                        
 revenues                                               791           1,574 
License and up-front fees                             2,301             815 
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Total revenue                                         3,092           2,389 
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Expenses                                                                    
Research and development, net                         8,834          10,874 
General and administrative                            4,289           6,121 
Foreign exchange (gain) loss                            (42)             72 
Financial income                                       (262)            (24)
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Total expenses                                       12,819          17,043 
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Net loss and comprehensive loss for the year         (9,727)        (14,654)
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Basic and diluted loss per share                      (0.04)          (0.36)
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Weighted average number of common shares        247,209,193      40,418,580 
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STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (unaudited)


(In thousands of                                                            
 Canadian dollars)                                                          
                                                                      Total 
                         Share          Contributed           shareholders' 
                       capital  Warrants    surplus   Deficit        equity 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance as at January                                                       
 1, 2010               119,189         -      9,076  (115,764)       12,501 
Net loss for the year        -         -          -   (14,654)      (14,654)
Stock option                                                                
 compensation expense        -         -         23         -            23 
Proceeds from                                                               
 reorganization, net                                                        
 of costs                    -         -      6,190         -         6,190 
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Balance as at December                                                      
 31, 2010              119,189         -     15,289  (130,418)        4,060 
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Balance as at January                                                       
 1, 2011               119,189         -     15,289  (130,418)        4,060 
Net loss for the year        -         -          -    (9,727)       (9,727)
Stock option                                                                
 compensation expense        -         -        931         -           931 
Costs of                                                                    
 reorganization              -         -        (32)        -           (32)
Issuance of common                                                          
 shares, net of costs   26,496         -          -         -        26,496 
Issuance of warrants,                                                       
 net of costs                -     6,041          -         -         6,041 
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Balance as at December                                                      
 31, 2011              145,685     6,041     16,188  (140,145)       27,769 
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STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)


(In thousands of Canadian dollars)                                          
                                            For the year ended December 31, 
                                            --------------------------------
                                                       2011            2010 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            
Operating activities                                                        
Net loss for the year                                (9,727)        (14,654)
Non-cash adjustments reconciling net loss to                                
 operating cash flows                                                       
  Depreciation of property, plant and                                       
   equipment                                            194             703 
  Write-off of property, plant and equipment             76               - 
  Gain on disposal of property, plant and                                   
   equipment                                            (30)            (39)
  Reversal of provision for lease                                           
   resiliation                                          (51)              - 
  Stock option compensation expense                     931              23 
  License and up-front fees                          (2,298)           (814)
  Interest income                                      (290)            (55)
  Lease incentive                                        28               - 
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                                                    (11,167)        (14,836)
Net changes in non-cash working capital                                     
 balances relating to operations                       (529)           (947)
Interest received                                       194              54 
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Cash flows related to operating activities          (11,502)        (15,729)
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Investing activities                                                        
Purchase of property, plant and equipment              (109)             (7)
Purchases of marketable securities                  (43,660)         (1,099)
Restricted cash                                         597            (638)
Disposal and maturities of marketable                                       
 securities                                          24,782           4,348 
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant                                   
 and equipment                                           76              86 
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Cash flows related to investing activities          (18,314)          2,690 
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Financing activities                                                        
Issuance of common shares                            28,088               - 
Share issuance cost                                  (1,592)              - 
Issuance of warrants                                  6,404               - 
Warrant issuance cost                                  (363)              - 
Proceeds from reorganization                              -           7,216 
Cost of reorganization                                  (32)         (1,026)
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Cash flows related to financing activities           32,505           6,190 
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Increase (decrease) in cash and cash                                        
 equivalents                                          2,689          (6,849)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year          7,361          14,210 
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Cash and cash equivalents, end of year               10,050           7,361 
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Contacts: MethylGene Inc. Joseph Walewicz Vice President, Business & Corporate Development 514-337-3333 ext. 373ir@methylgene.com www.methylgene.com The Trout Group LLC Thomas Fechtner Vice President 646-378-2931tfechtner@troutgroup.com www.troutgroup.com