Peregrine Pharmaceuticals Reports Positive Results From Phase II Bavituximab Lung Cancer Trial

Peregrine Pharmaceuticals Reports Positive Results From Phase II Bavituximab
Lung Cancer Trial
- Data from Initial Cohort in Phase II Study Evaluating Bavituximab with
Carboplatin and Paclitaxel in NSCLC Shows Progression-Free-Survival of 6.5
Months, which Compares Favorably with Historical Data Using Chemotherapy Alone
-

TUSTIN, Calif., Oct. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Peregrine Pharmaceuticals,
Inc. (Nasdaq: PPHM) today reported additional positive results in its Phase II
trial evaluating bavituximab in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel in
patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Data previously reported
from the initial cohort of 21 patients in the study had indicated that 11 of
17 evaluable patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC achieved an
objective tumor response according to RECIST criteria. Recent analysis from
the 21-patient cohort now shows the median progression-free-survival (PFS) for
these patients was 6.5 months, which compares favorably with the PFS range of
4.2 to 4.5 months reported in a similar patient population receiving
carboplatin and paclitaxel as a single agent in NSCLC trials that were the
basis for the design of the ongoing bavituximab study. Peregrine also
reported that it has completed enrolling the total of 49 NSCLC patients
planned for this study.

"The PFS data we reported today along with the objective tumor response data
previously reported for the first set of patients in this study are very
encouraging," said Steven W. King, president and CEO of Peregrine. "Based on
these results we have already begun designing our next studies in NSCLC, where
we believe bavituximab has considerable promise. We will continue to assess
patients enrolled in the now-completed expansion cohort over the coming months
and look forward to reporting results from the full 49-patient study
population."

The primary objective of the multi-center, open-label Phase II NSCLC study is
to assess the overall response rate to bavituximab with carboplatin and
paclitaxel. In the trial's Simon two-stage design, 21 patients with
previously untreated locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC were initially
enrolled, and 17 of these patients were deemed evaluable. In this initial
cohort, 11 of the 17 evaluable patients achieved an objective tumor response
by the time that treatment with the combination of bavituximab, carboplatin
and paclitaxel was completed. These initial results exceeded the
pre-specified endpoint needed to expand the trial, which then enrolled an
additional 28 patients to reach the planned study total of 49 patients.

Secondary objectives of the study include measuring time to tumor progression,
duration of response, overall patient survival and safety parameters.
Patients in the study are evaluated regularly for tumor response according to
RECIST criteria. Patients may continue to receive bavituximab as a
monotherapy after completion of chemotherapy as long as the cancer does not
progress and side effects are acceptable. The trial is being conducted in
India according to International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) and Good
Clinical Practices (GCP) guidelines.

Lung cancer is a major cause of cancer deaths worldwide. According to the
American Cancer Society, lung cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed
cancer in men and women in the U.S. and is the leading cause of cancer deaths.
It estimates that in 2009, there will be approximately 219,440 new cases of
lung cancer in the U.S. and an estimated 159,000 lung cancer deaths. NSCLC is
the most common type of lung cancer, accounting for approximately 85-90% of
lung cancer cases.

Bavituximab is a monoclonal antibody that targets the cellular membrane
component phosphatidylserine (PS) that is usually located inside cells, but
which becomes exposed on the outside of the cells that line the blood vessels
of tumors, creating a specific target for anti-cancer treatments. By masking
PS, bavituximab is believed to help mobilize the body's immune system to
destroy the tumor and the tumor blood vessels. Bavituximab is being tested in
combination with chemotherapy in three Phase II trials in advanced lung cancer
and advanced breast cancer. Interim results in all of these trials were
encouraging, with objective tumor response rates that compare favorably to
chemotherapy alone. Enrollment in the three trials is now complete and
patient treatment and follow-up are continuing.

About Peregrine Pharmaceuticals
Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company with a
portfolio of innovative monoclonal antibodies in clinical trials for the
treatment of cancer and serious viral infections. The company is pursuing
three separate clinical programs in cancer and HCV infection with its lead
product candidates bavituximab and Cotara®. Peregrine also has in-house
manufacturing capabilities through its wholly owned subsidiary Avid
Bioservices, Inc. (www.avidbio.com), which provides development and
biomanufacturing services for both Peregrine and outside customers.
Additional information about Peregrine can be found at www.peregrineinc.com.

Safe Harbor Statement: Statements in this press release which are not purely
historical, including statements regarding Peregrine Pharmaceuticals'
intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations, representations, projections, plans
or predictions of the future are forward-looking statements within the meaning
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking
statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the
risk that the standard carboplatin and paclitaxel response rate will not be
improved as a result of the combination therapy and the risk that the results
of the subsequent stage for this trial will not be consistent with the results
of the first stage. Factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially or otherwise adversely impact the company's ability to obtain
regulatory approval for its product candidates include, but are not limited
to, uncertainties associated with completing preclinical and clinical trials
for our technologies; the early stage of product development; the significant
costs to develop our products as all of our products are currently in
development, preclinical studies or clinical trials; obtaining additional
financing to support our operations and the development of our products;
obtaining regulatory approval for our technologies; anticipated timing of
regulatory filings and the potential success in gaining regulatory approval
and complying with governmental regulations applicable to our business. Our
business could be affected by a number of other factors, including the risk
factors listed from time to time in the company's SEC reports including, but
not limited to, the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30,
2009 and the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 31,
2009. The company cautions investors not to place undue reliance on the
forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Peregrine
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. disclaims any obligation, and does not undertake to
update or revise any forward-looking statements in this press release.

Contacts:
GendeLLindheim BioCom Partners
Investors Media
info@peregrineinc.com Barbara Lindheim
(800) 987-8256 (212) 918-4650

SOURCE Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Investors, 1-800-987-8256, info@peregrineinc.com, or Media, Barbara Lindheim,
+1-212-918-4650, all of GendeLLindheim BioCom Partners, for Peregrine
Pharmaceuticals, Inc.