Adherex Names Chief Medical Officer.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. -- Dr. Rajesh Malik is a pediatric oncologist with pharmaceutical industry experience in oncology clinical development

Adherex Technologies Inc. (TSX:AHX), a biopharmaceutical company with a broad portfolio of clinical oncology products under development, today announced that Dr. Rajesh K. Malik has joined the Company as its Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Malik, who brings more than 20 years of combined clinical and industry experience to Adherex, was most recently Executive Director at EMD Pharmaceuticals, where he directed the global clinical development strategy for three EMD/Merck KGaA oncology product candidates. Dr. Malik will report directly to Dr. William P. Peters, Chairman and CEO of Adherex.

"We are very pleased to attract a clinician of Dr. Malik's caliber to our executive team," said Peters. "As we escalate our clinical development activities, it is critical that we execute a cogent and creative clinical development strategy for our product candidates. Dr. Malik has the seasoned perspective of an experienced clinical oncologist treating patients with the latest regimens, a broad network of working relationships, as well as a sound knowledge of systematic, worldwide product development from his tenure at EMD Pharmaceuticals and Bristol-Myers Squibb. Having served as co-chair of the Children's Oncology Group Industry Advisory Council since its inception in 2000, Dr. Malik has his finger very much on the pulse of the pediatric oncology community, which will further enhance the oncology experience the Company already has and facilitate the development of STS."

"I am intrigued by Adherex' pipeline of compounds targeting cadherins, the proteins that hold tumor blood vessels together. These compounds represent a truly novel approach to the treatment of cancer," said Rajesh Malik, M.B., Ch.B. "I am also impressed by Adherex' STS product, which is being developed to help prevent hearing loss in children receiving platinum-based chemotherapy and which is being readied for a Phase III trial. As a pediatric oncologist, I have seen first hand the unmet needs that still exist in the treatment of cancer, and I believe Adherex has the opportunity to help fill some of the void."

Prior to his time at EMD Pharmaceuticals, Dr. Malik served as associate director at Bristol-Myers Squibb, where he was responsible for the global clinical development strategy for an oral taxane and for the company's pediatric initiatives. Dr. Malik completed his medical training in England, earning his M.B. and Ch.B. from the University of Sheffield Medical School, with post-graduate training in the U.K. and in the USA. He served fellowships at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Duke University Medical Center. From 1993 to 2000, he was an assistant professor at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA.

About Adherex Technologies

Adherex Technologies Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company with a broad portfolio of clinical oncology products under development. Four products are in the clinical stage of development including Exherin(TM), Adherex' lead cadherin antagonist compound, and STS, a drug that protects against severe hearing loss that is often produced by platinum-based anticancer agents. Adherex' intellectual property includes broad, interlocking protection for cadherin-mediated adhesion and represents what the Company believes to be the world's broadest portfolio of vascular targeting and cell adhesion modulating agents. For more information, please visit Adherex' website at www.adherex.com.

This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

Certain information contained in this news release is forward-looking and is subject to unknown risks and uncertainties. The actual results, performance or achievements of the companies may differ materially from the results, performance or achievements of the companies expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.