Abgenix Announces Death of Board Member Joseph E. Maroun.

Business Editors

FREMONT, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--March 22, 2002

Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq:ABGX) announced today that Joseph E. Maroun, a member of the company's board of directors, has passed away.

"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Joe, who has served on our board since the company's inception," stated R. Scott Greer, chairman and chief executive officer of Abgenix. "Joe's tremendous support, spirit and guidance will be greatly missed. We offer our sincere condolences to his family."

Mr. Maroun, age 72, joined Abgenix's board of directors in July 1996 and served as a director of Cell Genesys from June 1995 to June 2000. Mr. Maroun spent 30 years with Bristol-Myers Squibb, serving until his retirement in 1990, at which time he was President of the International Group, Senior Vice President of the corporation, and a member of its Policy Committee. He also headed the U.S.-Japan Pharmaceutical Advisory Group. Mr. Maroun held a B.A. degree from the University of Witwaterrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Abgenix is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of human therapeutic antibodies. The company's technology platform, which includes XenoMouse(R) and XenoMax(TM) technologies, enables the rapid generation and selection of high affinity, fully human antibody product candidates to a variety of disease targets. Abgenix leverages its leadership position in human antibody technology by building a diversified product portfolio through the development of its own internal proprietary products and through the establishment of licensing arrangements with multiple pharmaceutical, biotechnology and genomics companies. Abgenix's proprietary products are currently in clinical trials for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases. For more information on Abgenix, visit the company's Web site at www.abgenix.com.