MethylGene Completes Enrollment in Phase 2 Trial of MGCD290

Montreal, Canada, December 19, 2012 – MethylGene Inc. (TSX:MYG) today announced that it has completed enrollment in its multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (Trial 290-005) evaluating MGCD290 plus fluconazole versus fluconazole alone in patients with moderate-to-severe vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC).

"We are pleased to announce that we have completed enrollment in our first Phase II trial of MGCD290," said Dr. Chuck Baum, President and Chief Executive Officer of MethylGene. "MGCD290 is a novel antifungal agent with the potential to significantly improve outcomes for patients suffering from fungal infections, including VVC."

Trial Details

Trial 290-005 began enrolling patients with moderate to severe VVC in the first quarter of 2012, and over 200 patients were enrolled at 19 sites in North America.

The primary endpoint for the study is Therapeutic Cure at Day 28, which is a composite endpoint of Clinical Cure (resolution of signs and symptoms of the infection) and Mycological Cure (an absence of yeast in culture). The primary endpoint will be based on the modified intent to treat (MITT) population, which includes those patients who received treatment and were culture positive for yeast at baseline. Secondary endpoints include the Clinical and Mycological Cure rates at Day 14 and Day 28, Therapeutic, Clinical and Mycological Cure rates at day 14, recurrence rate at Day 28, and time to recurrence.

Topline data are expected in March of 2013.

About Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (VVC)

VVC is a yeast infection that affects an estimated 75% of healthy women at least once in their lifetimes, and treatments include topical over-the-counter antifungal agents and oral fluconazole. In 2011, over 11.5 million prescriptions were written in the US for fluconazole 150mg, which is only indicated for VVC and considered effective for patients with mild disease. However, there is only limited benefit for women with moderate to severe infections. VVC is most commonly caused by the type of fungus known as Candida albicans, although Candida glabrata is thought to be the cause of 10-15% of infections, with non-albicans strains which are azole-resistant being more prevalent in growing sectors of the population such as diabetics. Despite the medical need, few agents are currently in development for VVC.

About MGCD290

MGCD290 is a first-in-class, orally available, small molecule inhibitor of the fungal enzyme Hos2. In preclinical models the combination of MGCD290 with azole antifungal agents results in broader coverage of fungal pathogens and decreases resistance to the most widely used antifungal agents. MGCD290 is initially being developed as a combination product with fluconazole, the most widely used triazole antifungal. In vitro, MGCD290 in combination with fluconazole reverses fluconazole resistance (primary and acquired) in a wide range of fungal species, including Candida glabrata. MGCD290 has completed multiple Phase I studies in healthy adult volunteers and has shown a favourable safety profile without drug-drug interactions in combination with fluconazole. A randomized, controlled Phase II study in moderate to severe VVC has recently completed accrual.

About MethylGene

MethylGene Inc. (TSX:MYG) is a drug development company that is advancing 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 in a Phase II trial for vulvovaginal candidiasis, and MGCD265, a multi-targeted receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor that is in Phase I/II clinical trials for patients with solid tumors. 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.

Investor Relations Contact:

Joseph Walewicz, CFA

Vice President, Business & Corporate Development

MethylGene Inc.

Phone: 514-337-3333 ext. 373

ir@methylgene.com

www.methylgene.com

Thomas Hoffmann

Vice President

The Trout Group LLC

Phone: 646-378-2931

thoffmann@troutgroup.com

www.troutgroup.com

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