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Adherex Concludes Phase Ib Component of European ADH-1 Trial


WEBWIRE

- - Data to be presented at 2006 ASCO Annual Meeting in June - -

Research Triangle Park, NC, May 3, 2006 - - Adherex Technologies Inc. (AMEX:ADH, TSX:AHX), a biopharmaceutical company with a broad portfolio of oncology products under development, today announced that the Company has concluded the Phase Ib component of its Phase Ib/II ADH-1 trial in Europe and has begun the expanded accrual restricted to lung and ovarian cancers. The study, which is examining a weekly dosing schedule of ADH-1, will now enroll patients at the maximum studied dose of 2400 mg/m2 with N-cadherin positive non-small cell lung cancer and ovarian cancer. The Company expects to enroll approximately 20 further patients in this trial. The number of patients enrolled could be increased, depending on the level of anti-tumor activity noted.

The Phase Ib data will be reported at a poster discussion presentation at the 2006 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual meeting on Saturday, June 3, 2006 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. being held in Atlanta.

Adherex is also studying ADH-1 as a single agent in a Phase II trial at six centers in Canada, with plans for additional sites in the U.S. That trial is examining a weekly dosing schedule of 600 mg/m2 of ADH-1 in patients with one of five N-cadherin positive tumors (lung, liver, esophageal, kidney or adrenocortical). The Company also plans to begin studies of ADH-1 in combination with other anti-cancer agents, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy or biologics, in mid 2006. A maximum tolerated dose of ADH-1 has not yet been identified.

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 ADH-1 (Exherin™), eniluracil and sodium thiosulfate (STS). 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. Eniluracil, an oral dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) inhibitor, was previously under development by GlaxoSmithKline for oncology indications. 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 and results of such development. We can provide no assurance that such development will proceed as currently anticipated or that the expected timing or results of such development will be realized. We are subject to various risks, including the uncertainties of clinical trials, drug development and regulatory review, other risks inherent in the biopharmaceutical industry, the early stage of our product candidates, our reliance on collaborative partners, our need for additional capital to fund our operations, and our history of losses. 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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