ADVENTRX Pharmaceuticals Adds Vice President of Clinical and Medical Affairs to Expand Clinical Trial Efforts SAN DIEGO, March 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ADVENTRX Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (BULLETIN BOARD: AVRX) announced today that Cellia Habita, M.D., Ph.D., has joined its senior management team as Vice President, Clinical and Medical Affairs. In this role, Dr. Habita will be responsible for the Company's global clinical developments and regulatory submissions. "Dr. Habita brings a breadth of product development, clinical and regulatory experience to ADVENTRX," said Nicholas Jon Virca, President & CEO of ADVENTRX. "In an immediate effort to further the clinical development of our lead cancer drug, CoFactor(TM), Dr. Habita will seek regulatoryclearances in Europe to expand CoFactor testing for metastatic colorectal cancer and to begin Phase II testing of CoFactor for pancreatic cancer." Previously, Dr. Habita was Director of Product Development and Preclinical for Immusol, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company involved in development of therapies for cancer, viral diseases and certain dermatologic and ophthalmic disorders. At Immusol, Dr. Habita directed all product formulation, toxicology and pharmacology testing and oversaw offsite manufacturing. Dr. Habita was responsible for all regulatory submissions, in addition to assisting with clinical protocols and trial design. Under her leadership, two drug candidates were successfully launched into clinical trials. Previous to Immusol, Dr. Habita was Assistant Project Scientist at the Center for Molecular Genetics at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). While at UCSD, she developed an in vivo gene transfer model in fetal tissue and neonates for metabolic disorders. Dr. Habita earned a Ph.D. in Human Genetics, completed her graduate research at Oxford University in the UK at The Wellcome Trust for Human Genetics where she identified chromosomal regions involved in Type I Diabetes. Dr. Habita received an MS in Biology and Genetics of Aging from The University of Paris VII in Paris, France and an M.D. in General Medicine from the National Institute of Medical Sciences in Algiers, Algeria. Her clinical training covered Pediatric and Adult Endocrinology, Obstetrics/Gynecology and Orthopedic Surgery at The Saint Louis and Robert Debre Hospitals in Paris, France and she has conducted Genetic studies for Diabetes and Aging and Epidemiological studies in public health. 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 contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of thePrivate 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 inherentin 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. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions, which may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. Contact: Investor Contact: Stephanie Carrington, The Ruth Group 646-536-7017 Media Contact: Cynthia Isaac, Ph.D., The Ruth Group 646-536-7028 DATASOURCE: ADVENTRX Pharmaceuticals, Inc. CONTACT: Investors - Stephanie Carrington, +1-646-536-7017; or Media - Cynthia Isaac, Ph.D., +1-646-536-7028, both of The Ruth Group, for ADVENTRX Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

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