MedGenesis Therapeutix Inc.

Bronze Sponsor: MedGenesis Therapeutix Inc. (the “Company” or “MedGenesis”) is a specialty biopharmaceutical company with a focus on targeted medicines, in particular glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) protein, leveraging targeted delivery techniques such as convection enhanced delivery (CED) to develop and commercialize innovative treatments for patients with serious central nervous system (CNS) diseases.

The GDNF franchise, acquired from Amgen Inc., features a mature lead program in Parkinson’s disease, with the major value inflection point – results from a Phase II Clinical Trial with a pivotal study design – in an 18-24 month time frame. Supported and validated by third-party non-dilutive funding through a Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) grant, the Parkinson’s program shall commence phase 2 clinical trials in early 2012. Additional indications with significant potential exist for the molecule, including intractable epilepsy and Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL)
The MedGenesis proprietary CED platform is critical for the development of GDNF. CED is a minimally invasive technique that provides for targeted treatment of disease within the blood-brain barrier. Integrating cutting edge technical and development know-how with intellectual property, MedGenesis has advanced CED to a potentially disruptive platform technology with a broad range of applications. CED employs a local pressure gradient to infuse fluid (in this case containing the therapeutic GDNF) into the brain, allowing for up to a 1,000-fold increase in the distribution volume relative to conventional diffusion. The MedGenesis proprietary CED system allows for targeting of specific areas in the brain resulting in the accurate distribution of therapeutics.

This integrated approach provides for the potential of a safe, simple, and effective long-term treatment of patients with Parkinson’s disease on an out-patient basis. Patients will continue to see their neurologists monthly, where no more than 1-2 hours will be required to receive the non-invasive infusion that does not even require puncture with a needle.

Led by Dr. Erich Mohr, a recognized expert in neurodegenerative disorders, the MedGenesis management team is composed of accomplished pharma executives with a significant track record in successful drug development, including multiple NDAs/BLAs. The management team is supported by a high caliber Board of Directors, and a Scientific Advisory Board that includes key thought leaders in CED, neurodegenerative disorders, epilepsy and neuro-oncology.