ANX Mast Therapeutics, Inc.

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ADVENTRX Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (AMEX:ANX), a biopharmaceutical company developing anticancer and antiviral therapies, announced today that data from preclinical studies of Thiovir(TM), a drug candidate in a new class of reverse transcriptase inhibitors (RTIs), will be presented at the 20th International Conference on Antiviral Research (ICAR) in Palm Springs, April 30 - May 4 2007. The abstract entitled "Combinations of Thiovir and neuraminidase inhibitors exert synergistic antiviral activity on human, equine and avian influenza in vitro" will be presented on May 2, 2007. "The ICAR data in avian influenza coupled with previously reported preclinical results are convincing evidence for the importance of further development and evaluation of this broad spectrum antiviral and novel reverse transcriptase inhibitor in the treatment of influenza viruses," said Evan M. Levine, Chief Executive Officer of ADVENTRX. "We currently plan to initiate a Phase I/II clinical trial of Thiovir in HIV positive patients later this year." About Thiovir (ANX-201) Thiovir (ANX-201) is a pyrophosphate analogue, a new class of reverse transcriptase inhibitor (RTI) designed for oral delivery as a component of AZT- based highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Thiovir is an analogue of foscarnet that delivers both the active drug TPFA (thiophosphonoformate) and the active metabolite PFA (foscarnet) in an oral formulation. Thiovir is intended to deliver the benefits of the drug foscarnet, including broad spectrum antiviral activity, with the added benefit of improved cell permeability. ADVENTRX currently plans to initiate a Phase I/II clinical trial of Thiovir in HIV positive patients in 2007. About ADVENTRX Pharmaceuticals ADVENTRX Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical research and development company focused on commercializing anticancer and antiviral therapies that improve the performance and safety of existing treatments by addressing significant problems such as drug metabolism, toxicity, bioavailability and resistance. The Company's lead product candidate, CoFactor (ANX-510), currently is being tested in a pivotal Phase III study for metastatic colorectal cancer in the US. More information can be found on the Company's web site at http://www.adventrx.com/. Forward Looking Statement ADVENTRX cautions you that statements included in this press release that are not a description of historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that, if they do not materialize or prove to be accurate, could cause ADVENTRX's results to differ materially from historical results or those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are made based on management's current expectations and beliefs and should not be regarded as a statement or representation by ADVENTRX that any of its plans, including its anticipated milestones, will be achieved on time or at all. The potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to: the risk that ADVENTRX will be unable to raise sufficient capital to fund the projects necessary to meet its anticipated or stated goals and milestones, including funding the continued development of Thiovir(TM); the potential to attract a strategic partner for Thiovir(TM) or any of ADVENTRX's other product candidates and the terms of any related transaction; the ability to timely enroll subjects in ADVENTRX's current and anticipated clinical trials, including the currently planned Phase I/II clinical trial of Thiovir(TM); the results of planned clinical trials for Thiovir(TM) or ADVENTRX's other product candidates; the potential for Thiovir(TM) and ADVENTRX's other product candidates to receive regulatory approval for one or more indications on a timely basis or at all, and the uncertain process of seeking regulatory approval; other difficulties or delays in developing, testing, manufacturing and marketing of and obtaining regulatory approval for Thiovir(TM) or ADVENTRX's other product candidates; the market potential for reverse transcriptase inhibitors and other target markets, and ADVENTRX's ability to compete in those markets; unexpected adverse side effects or inadequate therapeutic efficacy of Thiovir(TM) or ADVENTRX's other products candidates that could delay or prevent regulatory approval or commercialization, or that could result in recalls or product liability claims; the risk that preclinical and clinical results are not indicative of the success of subsequent clinical trials and that products will not perform as preclinical and clinical data suggests or as otherwise anticipated; the potential for regulatory authorities to require additional preclinical work or other clinical requirements to support regulatory filings; the scope and validity of patent protection for Thiovir(TM) and ADVENTRX's other product candidates; and other risks and uncertainties more fully described in ADVENTRX's press releases and periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. ADVENTRX's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission are available at http://www.sec.gov/. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date when made. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement and ADVENTRX assumes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement, including as set forth in this press release, to reflect events or circumstances arising after the date on which it was made. DATASOURCE: ADVENTRX Pharmaceuticals, Inc. CONTACT: Amy Martini, Media Contact for WeissComm Partners, +1-212-301-7223; Ioana C. Hone, Investor Contact for ADVENTRX Pharmaceuticals, +1-858-552-0866 Web site: http://www.adventrx.com/ Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/gh/cnoc/comp/920134.html

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