Adherex Announces Phase IIb Expansion of ADH-1 Combination Study In Melanoma

Research Triangle Park, NC, January 17, 2008 - Adherex Technologies Inc. (AMEX:ADH, TSX:AHX), a biopharmaceutical company with a broad portfolio of oncology products under development, today announced that it has completed patient enrollment in the Phase I portion of the clinical trial of systemic ADH-1 in combination with isolated limb infusion melphalan and is proceeding with a multi-institutional Phase IIb expansion of the study. 

 

“We have completed the Phase I portion of this study at Duke with a satisfactory safety profile at all three ADH-1 doses tested and initial tumor response data that have exceeded our expectations based upon the center’s historical experience with mephalan alone,â€� said William P. Peters, MD, PhD, Chairman and CEO of Adherex.  “However, while positive, we consider the data to be early and limited both in terms of the number of patients and the length of follow-up.  We have therefore decided to expand the trial to provide additional patients and more information for planning potential pivotal trials.â€� 

 

The Company plans to expand the clinical trial of systemic ADH-1 in combination with isolated limb infusion melphalan for the treatment of melanoma by up to 25 additional patients.  Further, the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas has been added as an additional clinical trial site to gain multi-institutional experience.  This Phase IIb expansion of the trial is anticipated to complete patient accrual by approximately mid-2008 and data will be released at an appropriate scientific venue.

About Adherex Technologies

Adherex Technologies Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery and development of novel cancer therapeutics. We aim to be a leader in developing innovative treatments that address important unmet medical needs in cancer.  We currently have multiple products in the clinical stage of development, including eniluracil, ADH-1 and sodium thiosulfate (STS).  Eniluracil, an oral dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) inhibitor, was previously under development by GlaxoSmithKline for oncology indications. ADH-1, our lead biotechnology compound, selectively targets N-cadherin, a protein present on certain tumor cells and established blood vessels that feed solid tumors. STS, a drug from our specialty pharmaceuticals pipeline, protects against the disabling hearing loss that can often result from treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy drugs. With a diversified portfolio of unique preclinical and clinical-stage cancer compounds and a management team with expertise in identifying, developing and commercializing novel cancer therapeutics, Adherex is emerging as a pioneering oncology company. For more information, please visit our website at www.adherex.com.

 

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve significant risks and uncertainties.  The actual results, performance or achievements of the Company might differ materially from the results, performance or achievements of the Company expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, those regarding the development plans of the Company and the expected timing or results of our development.  We can provide no assurance that the development will proceed as currently anticipated or that the expected timing or results of the development will be realized.  We are subject to various risks, including the uncertainties of clinical trials, drug development and regulatory review, the early stage of our product candidates, our reliance on collaborative partners, our need for additional capital to fund our operations, our history of losses, and other risks inherent to the biopharmaceutical industry.  For a more detailed discussion of related risk factors, please refer to our public filings available at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov.

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For further information, please contact:

D. Scott Murray
Senior Vice President, Corporate Development
Adherex Technologies Inc.
T: (919) 484-8484
info@adherex.com