Poniard
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: PARD), a biopharmaceutical company focused
on oncology, announced that final efficacy results from its Phase 2
clinical trial of picoplatin confirming previously announced interim
results showing a survival benefit in patients with recurrent small cell
lung cancer (SCLC) who have failed prior platinum-containing first-line
chemotherapy or who have progressed within six months of first-line
therapy. The median overall survival rate was 27 weeks and both this
efficacy and the safety profile compares favorably with current medical
treatments which often include palliative best supportive care. Best
supportive care has been shown previously to have a median overall survival
of 14 weeks and is the comparator arm for the ongoing randomized Phase 3
trial to evaluate picoplatin treatment in this patient setting. The final
data were presented during a poster discussion session at the 1st European
Lung Cancer (IASLC) and the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO).



"These final Phase 2 data show that picoplatin extended survival in
patients with small cell lung cancer refractory to, or relapsing within 6
months of first-line platinum based chemotherapy," said Robert De Jager,
M.D., chief medical officer of Poniard. "Based on promising results from
this trial, we initiated our ongoing Phase 3 SPEAR trial in small cell lung
cancer. We are targeting commercialization of picoplatin for use in SCLC in
2010. We are committed to developing picoplatin as a new generation
chemotherapy agent addressing multiple indications, combinations and
formulations."



Final results from patients in the international, open-label,
multi-center Phase 2 trial were presented. An analysis of 62 deaths in 77
patients indicated a median overall survival of 27 weeks following
picoplatin treatment administered once every 3 weeks. The most common side
effects found in this present study were hematologic, including
thrombocytopenia, anemia and neutropenia. No grade 3 or 4 neurotoxicity or
nephrotoxicity and no treatment- related deaths occurred in this study. In
addition, quality of life was preserved in the group of patients receiving
picoplatin assessed every 3 weeks with Lung Cancer Symptom Scale (LCSS).



About Picoplatin



Picoplatin is a chemotherapeutic agent that has an improved safety
profile compared to existing platinum-based chemotherapeutics. It was
designed to overcome platinum resistance associated with the treatment of
solid tumors. Picoplatin has been evaluated in more than 750 patients and
has anti-tumor activity in multiple indications with less severe kidney and
nerve toxicity than is commonly observed with other platinum chemotherapy
drugs.



Poniard is evaluating intravenous picoplatin in an ongoing pivotal
Phase 3 trial, known as SPEAR (Study of Picoplatin Efficacy After Relapse),
in small cell lung cancer. This registrational trial currently is being
conducted under a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) from the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration and is evaluating overall survival as the primary
endpoint. The Company also is evaluating intravenous picoplatin in two
ongoing Phase 2 clinical trials for the treatment of hormone-refractory
prostate cancer and metastatic colorectal cancer. Oral picoplatin is being
evaluated in a Phase 1 clinical trial in solid tumors. Picoplatin has not
been approved by any regulatory authority for use in humans.



About Poniard Pharmaceuticals



Poniard Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on
the development and commercialization of innovative oncology products to
impact the lives of people with cancer. Picoplatin, the Company's lead
platform product candidate, is a new generation platinum therapy with an
improved safety profile relative to existing platinum-based cancer
therapies. Picoplatin is designed to overcome platinum resistance
associated with chemotherapy in solid tumors, and is being studied in
multiple cancer indications, combinations and formulations. Clinical trials
of intravenous picoplatin include a Phase 3 trial in small cell lung cancer
and Phase 2 trials in metastatic colorectal and hormone-refractory prostate
cancers, as well as a Phase 1 clinical trial of oral picoplatin in solid
tumors. Picoplatin has not been approved by any regulatory authority for
use in humans. For additional information please visit http://www.poniard.com.



This release contains forward-looking statements, including statements
regarding the Company's drug development plans, results of clinical trials
and the potential safety and efficacy of its products in development. The
Company's actual results may differ materially from those indicated in
these forward-looking statements based on a number of factors, including
risks and uncertainties associated with the Company's research and
development activities; the results of pre-clinical and clinical testing;
the receipt and timing of required regulatory approvals; the market's
acceptance of the Company's proposed products; the Company's anticipated
operating losses, need for future capital and ability to obtain future
funding; competition from third parties; the Company's ability to preserve
and protect intellectual property rights; the Company's dependence on
third-party manufacturers and suppliers; the Company's lack of sales and
marketing experience; the Company's ability to attract and retain key
personnel; changes in technology, government regulation and general market
conditions; and the risks and uncertainties described in the Company's
current and periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC), including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2007. Readers are cautioned not to place undue
reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the
date of this release. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any
forward-looking statement to reflect new information, events or
circumstances after the date of this release or to reflect the occurrence
of unanticipated events.



(C) 2008 Poniard Pharmaceuticals, Inc. All Rights Reserved.



Poniard and Poniard Pharmaceuticals are trademarks of Poniard
Pharmaceuticals, Inc.


Poniard Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

http://www.poniard.com