Coverage Initiated: November 2005

YM Biosciences (AMEX:YMI) is a Canadian company seeking approval for nimotuzumab for the treatment of cancer. This monoclonal antibody was originally developed in Cuba, and has been broadly outlicensed by Cuban authorities. This has resulted in approval for nimotuzumab in several countries. YM Biosciences holds the rights to the US and Western EU markets.

Nimotuzumab is an EGFR inhibitor like Erbitux (cetuximab). Nimotuzumab's single claim to fame is YM's belief the drug has comparable efficacy to Erbitux without the rash and other side effects. Few believe this is possible, despite published research showing Erbitux efficacy and rash do not enjoy a 1:1 correlation.

In 2010, YM management acquired Cytopia. It turns out this was more of a reverse takeover as former Cytopia management is now in control of the company. Nimotuzumab is no longer being actively developed. The company's new lead drug is CYT387, a JAK1/2 inhibitor seeing some promise in early clinical trials.

YM has had several starts and stops during our coverage of the company. A detailed statistical analysis (done in cooperation with AG Edwards) of a uniquely-designed trial for YM's cancer drug tesmilifene showed the ongoing trial was not a repeat of a previous trial as most investors hoped. This research allowed our Subscribers to choose to reduce positions or hedge ahead of what turned out to be a negative trial outcome.

A complete listing of our research on YM Biosciences is available by clicking here.