CancerVax Corporation Launches New Corporate Web Site Providing In-Depth Information About Melanoma.

Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers

BIOWIRE2K

CARLSBAD, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--March 7, 2002

CancerVax(TM) Corporation announced today the launch of its newly designed corporate web site: http://www.cancervax.com. The web site provides resources and educational information for cancer patients including details on cancer risk factors, screening, prevention and treatment as well as links to web sites providing additional information about cancer. The new "Clinical Trials" section of the web site provides a list of all clinical trial sites and information regarding enrollment in clinical trials of CANVAXIN(TM), the Company's lead therapeutic cancer vaccine product. The CANVAXIN(TM) vaccine is currently undergoing two international Phase 3 clinical trials for the treatment of Stage III and Stage IV melanoma.

"This new corporate web site serves as a platform for CancerVax to communicate the continued development of the Company to our target audiences," said David F. Hale, President and Chief Executive Officer of CancerVax. "We are also dedicated to serving as a knowledge source for individuals looking for reliable information on cancer, and on melanoma in particular."

CancerVax's web site also provides expanded information about the Company, its immunotherapy and antibody technologies, corporate development activities and employment opportunities.

Melanoma Update

There are an estimated 450,000 people in the U.S. currently alive who have been diagnosed with melanoma, and, according to the National Cancer Institute, the new incidence of melanoma is increasing at a rate of 3-5% per year, which is faster than any other cancer. In 2001, the incidence of melanoma in the U.S. was 51,400 with 7,800 people dying of the disease.

The lifetime risk in the U.S. of developing melanoma, which was estimated to have been 1/1,500 in 1935 and 1/74 in 2000, is estimated to reach 1/50 in 2005.

The United States is not alone in experiencing rising incidence rates of melanoma. The worldwide incidence of melanoma in 2000 was 132,600, with 37,000 deaths from the disease. Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Italy, Scotland and New Zealand, in particular, have all witnessed significant increases over the past decade.

Melanoma is curable in 85-95% of individuals in whom the disease is caught at its earliest stages -- before it has a chance to spread to lymph nodes or distant body sites.

Melanoma Risk Factors

No one is safe from the sun's damaging UV rays. However, a person is at greater risk if they :

-- have fair skin, light eyes and hair color;

-- sunburn or freckle easily;

-- have suffered a blistering sunburn as a child;

-- have a family history of melanoma;

-- have already had melanoma;

-- have unusual moles that are irregular in size, shape, color, or a large
number of moles;

-- work outdoors; or

-- participate in outdoor activities on a regular basis such as golfing,
swimming, hiking and gardening without protective clothing and use of
sunscreens with SPF 15 or higher.

(source: Being SunSmart: A Guide to Protecting Yourself from the Sun. Scripps Stevens Cancer Center.)

About CancerVax Corporation

CancerVax Corporation is a privately held biotechnology company dedicated to the discovery, development and commercialization of biological products for the treatment, prevention and control of cancer. CancerVax is conducting two international, multi-center Phase 3 clinical trials for its Canvaxin(TM) therapeutic vaccine in the treatment of Stage III and Stage IV melanoma at approximately 50 clinical trial sites around the world. CancerVax recently filed an IND for a pivotal (Phase 2/3) trial to study the Canvaxin(TM) vaccine for the treatment of Stage IV colon cancer. CancerVax maintains its corporate and R&D headquarters in Carlsbad, California, and its biologics manufacturing facility in Los Angeles, California.

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this news release may include forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in this news release due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in the Company's business including, without limitation, statements about: the progress and timing of its clinical trials; difficulties or delays in development, testing, obtaining regulatory approval, producing and marketing its products; unexpected adverse side effects or inadequate therapeutic efficacy of its products that could delay or prevent product development or commercialization, or that could result in recalls or product liability claims; competition from other pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies; and its ability to obtain additional financing to support its operations. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement and the Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.

For more information about CancerVax, please visit our web site at http://www.cancervax.com.

CancerVax(TM) and CANVAXIN(TM) are trademarks of CancerVax(TM) Corporation.