Adherex Expands Phase II ADH-1 Trial to Include Three Additional Canadian Sites.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. -- 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 three additional sites in Canada for its Phase II clinical trial of ADH-1 (Exherin(TM)): BC Cancer Agency - Vancouver Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia, Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton, Alberta, and QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, bringing the total number of clinical sites for the trial to six, including the current centers in Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa.

"The increased number of centers involved in the Phase II single agent trial of ADH-1 will help ensure an even more robust accrual of patients, particularly in the less common tumor types, and expand the investigator base working with our drug," said William P. Peters, M.D., Ph.D., Chairman and CEO of Adherex.

This Phase II single agent trial, which is ongoing at the Ottawa Regional Cancer Centre, the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto and the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal, is designed to evaluate the anti-tumor activity and tolerability of repeated doses of ADH-1 in patients whose tumors express the molecular target N-cadherin. The trial is expected to enroll up to an aggregate of 60 patients, although the trial size could be increased beyond 60 patients depending on the level of anti-tumor activity noted. The Company expects results from the trial in the second half of 2006.

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(TM)), 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 results or timing of such development. We can provide no assurance that the expected results or timing of such development will be realized. We are subject to various risks, including those inherent in the biopharmaceutical industry, the early stage of our product candidates, the uncertainties of drug development, clinical trials and regulatory review, 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.

Adherex Technologies Inc. (TSX:AHX)(AMEX:ADH)