Bioenvision Common Stock to Be Listed on American Stock Exchange.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 3, 2003

Bioenvision, Inc. (OTCBB: BIOV) today announced that its common stock has been approved for listing on the American Stock Exchange. Effective September 8, 2003, Bioenvision's common stock will begin trading on the American Stock Exchange ("AMEX") under the symbol: BIV.

"Our move to AMEX is another very significant milestone in the operational development and corporate finance initiatives of Bioenvision," commented David P. Luci, Director of Finance and General Counsel of Bioenvision. "Listing on AMEX should provide Bioenvision with greater visibility and we believe it will expand the universe of investors who can purchase Bioenvision's common stock and provide additional liquidity for Bioenvision's stockholders."

Dr. Christopher B. Wood, Chairman and CEO of Bioenvision added, "The AMEX listing adds to our momentum from the recent launch of Modrenal and resulting revenue generation, the initiation of pivotal clinical trials for clofarabine and the other significant milestones we expect to achieve in the near future with our platform of products and technologies."

The last trading day for Bioenvision's common stock on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board ("OTC BB") is September 5, 2003. A listing with AMEX means that Bioenvision is no longer required to comply with certain restrictions inherent in being traded on the OTCBB, including restrictions imposed by certain brokerage houses on the ability of their brokers to solicit orders or recommend the purchase of stocks that trade on the OTCBB.

The Company was approved for listing on AMEX based upon a review by an Exchange Listing Qualifications Panel which authorized approval of the listing pursuant to Section 1203(c) of the AMEX Company Guide; notwithstanding the fact that the Company does not fully satisfy the Exchange regular initial listing standards with respect to price per share. The Panel's decision was based upon its determination that the Company satisfies the minimum Alternative Listing Standards and its affirmative finding that mitigating factors warrant listing pursuant to the Alternative Listing Standards. Specifically, AMEX noted that Bioenvision has sound management, significantly exceeded certain of the initial listing requirements, has prospects of significantly improved earnings in the near term and has sufficient cash available to fund operations for the next two years based on Bioenvision's current burn rate.

AMEX, a subsidiary of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., is the nation's second largest floor-based exchange and is a leader in developing innovative products to meet the needs of market participants.

About Bioenvision

Bioenvision's (OTCBB: BIOV) primary focus is the acquisition, development and distribution of compounds and technologies for the treatment of cancer. Bioenvision has a broad pipeline of products for the treatment of cancer, including: clofarabine, Modrenal(R) (for which Bioenvision has obtained regulatory approval for marketing in the United Kingdom for the treatment of advanced post-menopausal breast cancer), and other products in clinical trials. Bioenvision is also developing anti-infective technologies, including the OLIGON technology, an advanced biomaterial that has been incorporated into various FDA approved medical devices. For more information on Bioenvision please visit our Web site at www.bioenvision.com.

Certain statements contained herein are "forward-looking" statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Because these statements include risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Specifically, factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: risks associated with preclinical and clinical developments in the biopharmaceutical industry in general and in Bioenvision's compounds under development in particular; the potential failure of Bioenvision's compounds under development to prove safe and effective for treatment of disease; uncertainties inherent in the early stage of Bioenvision's compounds under development; failure to successfully implement or complete clinical trials; failure to receive marketing clearance from regulatory agencies for our compounds under development; acquisitions, divestitures, mergers, licenses or strategic initiatives that change Bioenvision's business, structure or projections; the development of competing products; uncertainties related to Bioenvision's dependence on third parties and partners; and those risks described in Bioenvision's filings with the SEC. Bioenvision disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.