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Advanced Life Sciences Presents Scientific Data on the Synthesis and Apoptotic Activity of New Caspase-Activating Pentacyclic Triterpenoids at the 232nd American Chemical Society National Meeting

Posted on: Monday, 11 September 2006, 12:00 CDT

WOODRIDGE, Ill., Sept. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Advanced Life Sciences Holdings, Inc. , a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery, development and commercialization of novel drugs in the therapeutic areas of infection, cancer and inflammation made an oral presentation and presented a poster at the 232nd American Chemical Society National Meeting. This year's meeting is taking place in San Francisco, California, from September 10 through September 14, 2006. More than 12,500 scientists are expected to attend the Fall meeting. The Company's presentations detailed research on the chemical synthesis and apoptotic activity of caspase-activating pentacyclic triterpenoids.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050428/CGTH039LOGO )

The caspases belong to a family of protease enzymes that, upon activation, cleave an array of cellular proteins necessary for cell viability. This process of programmed cell death, or apoptosis, is necessary for the removal of unwanted or useless cells. The Company's lead oncology drug candidate, ALS-357, is a pentacyclic triterpenoid with an open IND to initiate Phase I/II clinical trials to treat metastatic melanoma in 2007. ALS-357 has been reported to induce apoptosis in melanoma, leukemia and difficult-to-treat neuroblastoma cell lines. It may target the mitochondria directly in these cancer cells, thus triggering activation of pro-apoptotic proteins involved in internucleosomal DNA fragmentation.

In the ongoing search for molecules effective against cancer with novel mechanisms of action, scientists at Advanced Life Sciences have embarked on the design and chemical synthesis of other novel triterpenoids. New molecules discovered through this research have emerged as potent second generation anti-cancer agents against melanoma, glioblastoma, ovarian and colon cancer cell lines. These molecules, like ALS-357, have been shown to induce apoptosis in these tumor cell lines and may represent potential new anti-cancer drug candidates.

About Advanced Life Sciences

Advanced Life Sciences is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery, development and commercialization of novel drugs in the therapeutic areas of infection, cancer and inflammation. The Company's lead candidate, cethromycin, is a novel ketolide antibiotic in late-stage clinical development for the treatment of respiratory tract infections.

Forward-Looking Statements

Any statements contained in this presentation that relate to future plans, events or performance are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward- looking statements.

These risks and uncertainties include, among others, those relating to technology and product development, market acceptance, government regulation and regulatory approval processes, intellectual property rights and litigation, dependence on collaborative relationships, ability to obtain financing, competitive products, industry trends and other risks identified in Advanced Life Sciences' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Advanced Life Sciences undertakes no obligation to update or alter these forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050428/CGTH039LOGOPRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

Advanced Life Sciences Holdings, Inc.

CONTACT: Investor Relations Contact, Edward P. Flavin of Advanced LifeSciences Holdings, Inc., +1-630-739-6744 Ext. 211

Web site: http://www.advancedlifesciences.com/

Source: PRNewswire-FirstCall

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