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Tuesday, 03/31/2009 9:37:12 AM

Tuesday, March 31, 2009 9:37:12 AM

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3-31-09 PR: Patent Granted for Conjugated Anti-PE Agents

”Peregrine Pharmaceuticals Awarded New U.S. Patent Further Strengthening Its Anti-Phospholipid Patent Portfolio
• New Claims Cover Phospholipid-Targeting Compounds Linked to Anti-Viral Agents”

http://ir.peregrineinc.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=374123

TUSTIN, March 31, 2009: Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: PPHM) today reported the issuance of a U.S. patent that further strengthens the company's intellectual property leadership in the field of phospholipid-targeting agents for the treatment of life-threatening diseases. The new patent grants composition of matter claims that cover multiple formulations of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE)-binding agents attached to a wide variety of anti-viral agents. PE belongs to the aminophospholipid family that also includes phosphatidylserine (PS), the target for Peregrine's monoclonal antibody bavituximab that is in a clinical trial for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and in preclinical studies for HIV and other viral infections. This new patent follows issuance last year of broad methods patents covering use of PE-binding agents in anti-viral applications.

"Our anti-viral program has gained momentum over the past year with prestigious scientific publications and presentations, as well as the award of a major federal contract to Peregrine for the development of our anti-PS antibodies for biodefense applications," said Steven W. King, president and CEO of Peregrine. "Our growing patent estate in the closely related field of anti-PE binding agents should provide us with additional scientific and strategic options for leveraging our promising anti-viral assets."

The science underlying Peregrine's patents for anti-viral applications of PE-targeting agents was presented at a scientific conference last year [ AAI 2008 http://tinyurl.com/6q93wk ] by Dr. Melina Soares of the University of Texas SW Medical Center(1). Dr. Soares presented data showing that similar to PS, the aminophospholipid PE is normally located on the inside of cell membranes, but becomes exposed on the external surface of enveloped viruses and virus-infected cells. Using a biotin-conjugated form of the drug duramycin, which binds to PE, Dr. Soares and her colleagues demonstrated that exposed PE could serve as a broad-spectrum target for anti-viral therapy.

"We are very pleased to receive this third patent for our anti-PE program, which adds to our leadership in the emerging field of aminophospholipid-targeting anti-viral agents," said Shelley Fussey, Ph.D., VP of intellectual property at Peregrine. "This latest patent is the direct result of our ongoing research collaboration with leading researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center who have been instrumental in establishing our position at the forefront of developing therapeutic agents that target phospholipids."

U.S. Patent #7,511,124, which issued on March 31, 2009, was granted to the University of Texas System and is exclusively licensed to Peregrine Pharmaceuticals.

1. M. Melina Soares, Susan Mims, Gustavo Barbero, Shuzhen Li and Philip E. Thorpe, "Anti-Viral Effects of Phosphatidylethanolamine-Targeting Agents", American Association of Immunologists Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA., April 7, 2008.

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 3 separate clinical programs in cancer and HCV infection with its lead product candidates bavituximab and Cotara(R). Peregrine also has in-house manufacturing capabilities through its wholly owned subsidiary Avid Bioservices, Inc. (http://www.avidbio.com), which provides development and biomanufacturing services for both Peregrine and outside customers. Additional information about Peregrine can be found at http://www.peregrineinc.com.

Safe Harbor *snip*
CONTACTS:
• Investors: info@peregrineinc.com 800-987-8256
• Media: Barbara Lindheim, GendeLLindheim BioCom Partners, 212-918-4650

= = = = = = =
This Anti-PE patent #7511124 USPO Link: http://tinyurl.com/dktpgn

Two Prev. Anti-PE Patents:
6-16-08: Anti-PE Patents 7378386+7384909 Granted (AV): http://tinyurl.com/5p7xrk
Background: http://tinyurl.com/5svmq4

4-9-08: Thorpe/Soares present the PE-binding peptides 'DLB' (duramycin+biotin conjugate) at AAI2008: http://tinyurl.com/6q93wk

DR. THORPE'S PATENTS:
• GRANTED: http://tinyurl.com/m232k
• PENDING: http://tinyurl.com/845p2
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