SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Jan. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Poniard Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: PARD), a biopharmaceutical company focused on innovative oncology therapies, today announced that the Company will present data from two ongoing Phase 2 clinical trials of picoplatin at two upcoming American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Symposia.

In January, the Company will present updated data from its Phase 2 trial of picoplatin in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer at ASCO's 2009 Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancers Symposium in San Francisco. In February, updated data from the ongoing Phase 2 trial of picoplatin in patients with metastatic hormone refractory (or castration resistant) prostate cancer will be presented at ASCO's Genitourinary (GU) Cancers Symposium in Orlando, Fla.

    Presentation details are as follows:
    --  The ASCO 2009 GI Cancers Symposium, San Francisco
        --  Randomized Phase 2 study of picoplatin in combination with
            5-fluorouracil and leucovorin (FOLPI) as a neuropathy-sparing
            alternative to mFOLFOX-6 as first-line therapy for colorectal
            cancer (CRC)
        --  R. H. Earhart, S. V. Cheporov, O. A. Gladkov, M. Y. Biakhov, G. S.
            Baker, H. B. Breitz
        --  Saturday, January 17, 12:30-1:30

    --  The ASCO 2009 GU Cancers Symposium, Orlando, Fla.
        --  Results of a Phase 2 study of picoplatin with docetaxel and
            prednisone in first-line treatment of metastatic hormone
            refractory prostate cancer (HRPC)
        --  R. Earhart, L. Roman, N. Lopatkin, P. Karlov,  H. Breitz, David
            Karlin, R. De Jager
        --  Friday, February 27, 11:45-1:15

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 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 business objectives and strategic goals, drug development plans, timing and 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 and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2008. 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) 2009 Poniard Pharmaceuticals, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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

SOURCE Poniard Pharmaceuticals, Inc.