<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF GENSTAR THERAPEUTICS CORP. AS OF AND FOR THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000 DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000 JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000 SEP-30-1999
<CASH> 9,019,425 921,994
<SECURITIES> 15,140,534 0
<RECEIVABLES> 13,421 0
<ALLOWANCES> 0 0
<INVENTORY> 0 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 24,243,772 1,045,663
<PP&E> 2,185,741 726,489
<DEPRECIATION> 386,917 157,368
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 26,278,189 1,826,913
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1,234,407 597,952
<BONDS> 0 0
0 0
88 88
<COMMON> 22,598 12,104
<OTHER-SE> (19,181,150) (12,524,390)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 26,278,189 1,826,913
<SALES> 0 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 113,396 67,201
<CGS> 0 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 7,544,309 2,453,669
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 845,229 16,197
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> (71,076) (348,898)
<INCOME-PRETAX> (6,656,760) (2,719,161)
<INCOME-TAX> 0 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (6,656,760) (2,719,161)
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> (6,656,760) (2,719,161)
<EPS-BASIC> (.33) (.27)
<EPS-DILUTED> (.33) (.27)
</TABLE>