Hana Biosciences to Present Menadione and Alocrest Data At the European Society for Medical Oncology Conference

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., June 23, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) — Hana Biosciences (Nasdaq:HNAB), a biopharmaceutical company focused on strengthening the foundation of cancer care, today announced that it will present pre-clinical data on Menadione Topical Lotion and clinical data on Alocrest(tm) (vinorelbine liposomes injection, OPTISOME(tm)) at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Conference taking place July 3-6, 2008 in Lugano, Switzerland. Menadione is a topical agent that Hana is currently evaluating in a Phase 1 clinical trial for the treatment and/or prevention of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitor-associated skin toxicities. Alocrest is Hana’s OPTISOME(tm) encapsulated formulation of vinorelbine tartrate intended for use in the treatment of certain solid tumor cancers.

Roman Perez-Soler, M.D., Chief, Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Chair, Department of Oncology, Montefiore Medical Center will present:

   Poster #98P: "Local Rescue of Skin Toxicities Secondary to Kinase  Inhibitor (KI) Therapy with Topical Menadione"  Saturday, July 5, 2008, 12:45 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. CEST  Location: Main Foyer of the Palazzo dei Congressi  Poster Session: Symptom Science 

Hana Biosciences will also present Alocrest Phase 1 clinical trial results:

   Poster #56P "Phase 1 Study of the Sphingomyelin/Cholesterol Liposome  Formulation of Vinorelbine in Subjects with Advanced Solid Tumors,  Hodgkin's Disease, or Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma"  Saturday, July 5, 2008, 12:45 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. CEST  Location: Main Foyer of the Palazzo dei Congressi  Poster Session: Basic Science and Diagnostics 

Both posters will be on display beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, July 4, 2008 through 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 6, 2008.

About Menadione Topical Lotion

Menadione, a small organic molecule, has been shown in pre-clinical studies to activate the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway by inhibiting phosphatase activity. EGFR inhibitors, or EGFRIs, are currently used to treat over 100,000 patients per year with a variety of cancers including non-small cell lung cancer, pancreatic, colorectal, and head & neck cancer. The majority of patients taking EGFRIs develop an associated skin rash. Loss of EGFR signaling has been hypothesized as a mechanism of skin toxicity in patients receiving EGFRIs. In vitro studies have suggested that topically-applied menadione may restore EGFR signaling at the dermal/epidermal junction, which could prove beneficial to patients receiving these agents as cancer therapy. Currently, there are no FDA-approved products or therapies available to treat these skin toxicities. Hana Biosciences in-licensed topical menadione from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York in October 2006. A Phase 1 clinical trial is ongoing in the U.S. and Canada.

About Alocrest(tm) (vinorelbine liposomes injection, OPTISOME(tm))

Alocrest is a novel sphingomyelin/cholesterol liposome-encapsulated vinorelbine tartrate formulation. Vinorelbine, a semi-synthetic vinca alkaloid, is a microtubule inhibitor that has been approved for use as a single agent or in combination with cisplatin for the first-line treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer. In several countries outside the United States, vinorelbine is also approved for the treatment of advanced stage breast cancer. Pre-clinical comparison data between commercially available vinorelbine tartrate injection (unencapsulated) and Alocrest demonstrated that Alocrest has improved pharmacokinetic properties, including an approximately 10-fold increase in preferential accumulation in tumors, and an improved therapeutic index.

About Hana Biosciences, Inc.

Hana Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:HNAB) is a South San Francisco, CA-based biopharmaceutical company focused on acquiring, developing, and commercializing innovative products to strengthen the foundation of cancer care. The company is committed to creating value by building a best-in-class team, accelerating the development of lead product candidates, expanding its pipeline by being the alliance partner of choice, and nurturing a unique company culture. Additional information on Hana Biosciences can be found at www.hanabiosciences.com.

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This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “anticipates,””expects,””plans,””believes,””intends,” and similar words or phrases. These forward-looking statements include without limitation, statements regarding the timing, progress and anticipated results of the clinical development, regulatory processes, and potential indications for Hana’s product candidates, including its topical menadione and Alocrest product candidates. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause Hana’s actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results and expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from these statements. Among other things, there can be no assurances that any of Hana’s development efforts relating to its product candidates will be successful, that Hana will be able to obtain regulatory approval of any of its product candidates, and that the results of clinical trials will support Hana’s claims or beliefs concerning the effectiveness of its product candidates. Additional risks that may affect such forward-looking statements include Hana’s need to raise additional capital to fund its product development programs to completion, Hana’s reliance on third-party researchers to develop its product candidates, and its lack of experience in developing and commercializing pharmaceutical products. Additional risks are described in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Hana assumes no obligation to update these statements, except as required by law.

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 CONTACT:  Hana Biosciences           Investor & Media Contact:           Remy Bernarda, Director, Investor Relations           (650) 228-2769           fax (650) 588-2787           [email protected]