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ZIOPHARM Treats First Patient in Phase II ZIO-101 Liver Cancer Trial

Posted on: Thursday, 10 May 2007, 09:00 CDT

ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZIOP), announced today dosing of the first patient in a phase II trial of ZIO-101 (organic arsenical) for the treatment of patients with primary liver cancer. Primary liver cancer is one of the most commonly occurring cancers in the world. The study will take place at five major U.S. liver cancer treatment centers including sites in New York, Boston, Miami, Seattle, and Atlanta.

"Liver cancer is one of the most difficult cancers to manage," commented Brian Schwartz, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at ZIOPHARM. "However there are a number of strong scientific and historical reasons to suggest that ZIO-101 could have a positive impact on patients suffering from this disease. We look forward to seeing if this novel form of organic arsenical will give clinicians an additional treatment option."

For more details on the trial please see www.clinicaltrials.gov. In addition to the phase II liver cancer trial, the Company is conducting phase II studies with ZIO-101 in advanced multiple myeloma and diverse hematological cancers, including acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL).

About ZIO-101

ZIO-101 is a proprietary small molecule organic arsenical licensed from The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and Texas A&M University. ZIO-101 induces cell cycle arrest and cell death by targeting several cellular pathways essential for cell survival. Exposure to ZIO-101 has a direct as well as indirect effect on mitochondrial functions, resulting in depletion of energy supply to the cell and induction of apoptosis (programmed cell death). Increase in intra-cellular Reactive Oxygen Species enhances this effect on mitochondrial functions and consequently the activation of the signal transduction pathway leading to apoptosis. In addition, ZIO-101 interrupts the cell cycle at the G2/M phase of tumor cells inducing cell death through this pathway as well.

About ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc.

ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development and commercialization of a diverse, risk-sensitive portfolio of in-licensed cancer drugs to address unmet medical needs. The Company applies new insights from molecular and cancer biology to understand the efficacy and safety limitations of approved and developmental cancer therapies and identifies proprietary and related molecules for better patient treatment. For more information, visit www.ziopharm.com.

Forward-Looking Safe Harbor Statement:

This press release contains forward-looking statements for ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company'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 assurance that any of the Company's development efforts relating to its product candidates will be successful, or such product candidates will be successfully commercialized. Other risks that affect forward-looking information contained in this press release include the possibility of being unable to obtain regulatory approval of the Company's product candidates, the risk that the results of clinical trials may not support the Company's claims, and risks related to the Company's ability to protect its intellectual property and its reliance on third parties to develop its product candidates. The Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

ZIOP-G

Source: Business Wire

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