ADVENTRX Pharmaceuticals Elects New Member to the Board Of Directors SAN DIEGO, Feb. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ADVENTRX Pharmaceuticals (BULLETIN BOARD: AVRX) announced today that Mark Bagnall has accepted an invitation to join the Board of Directors. "We are very pleased to welcome Mr. Bagnall to our Board of Directors," said Nicholas Jon Virca, President & Chief Executive Officer of ADVENTRX. "Mr. Bagnall's background includes broad experience in life science mergers and acquisitions as well as significant accomplishments in equity and debt financings within the biotechnology industry. We are confident that his participation on our Board will assist us greatly in further refining our business and financial strategies." Mr. Bagnall currently serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Business Officer of Metabolex, Inc. Metabolex is a privately-held pharmaceutical company focused on the development of drugs to treat diabetes and related metabolic disorders. Mr. Bagnall has been in thebiotechnology industry for over 15 years. In the 12 years prior to joining Metabolex, Mr. Bagnall held the top financial position at four life science companies: Metrika, Inc., a privately-held diagnostics company, and three public biotechnology companies, Progenitor, Inc., Somatix Therapy Corporation, and Hana Biologics, Inc. During his career in biotechnology, he has managed several private and public financings, merger and acquisition transactions and corporate licensing agreements. Mr. Bagnall received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the U.C. Berkeley Business School and is a Certified Public Accountant. As an independent member of the Board of Directors, Mr. Bagnall will enhance the corporate governance infrastructure of ADVENTRX. ADVENTRX ADVENTRX Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a biopharmaceutical research and development company whose business strategy is to commercialize leading edge medical research through licensing agreements with prominent universities and research institutions. The Company focuses its energy in cancer and antiviral research to launch products that either extend the usefulness of current therapies or replace marginal therapies with new approaches to treatment. This press release containsforward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are made based on management's current expectations and beliefs. Actual results may vary from those currently anticipated based upon a number of factors, including uncertainties inherent in the drug development process, the timing and success of clinical trials, the validity of research results, and the receipt of necessary approvals from the United States Food and Drug Administration. All information in this press release is as of the date set forth above. The Company undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement in this press release to conform such statement to actual results or changes in the Company's expectations. Contact: The Ruth Group Investors: Stephanie Carrington 646-536-7017 Media: Cynthia Isaac, Ph.D. 646-536-7028 DATASOURCE: ADVENTRX Pharmaceuticals CONTACT: Investors - Stephanie Carrington, +1-646-536-7017, Media - Cynthia Isaac, Ph.D., +1-646-536-7028, both of The Ruth Group, for ADVENTRX Pharmaceuticals Inc.

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