Adherex Initiates Combination Trial of ADH-1 and Melphalan for Treatment of Melanoma

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 initiated a Phase I trial of the combination of systemic ADH-1 plus isolated limb infusion melphalan for the treatment of melanoma. The study, which will be conducted at Duke University Medical Center, is expected to enroll up to 25 patients with N-cadherin positive melanoma and conclude in the second half of 2007.

“Melanoma is a disease with an extremely poor prognosis,” said William P. Peters, MD, PhD, Chairman and CEO of Adherex. “Where the current treatment options are so limited, if our preclinical observations of significant and unexpected synergy of ADH-1 in combination with melphalan translate into humans, it would present the opportunity for an accelerated approval strategy and also the possibility for a major advance in the treatment of melanoma.”

The trial, which will explore escalating doses of ADH-1 in combination with standard doses of melphalan, is intended to define the dose limiting toxicities and maximum tolerated dose and assess initial efficacy of the combination.

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.