Adherex Technologies Inc. Responds to Stock Trading Activity

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA--(Marketwire - December 17, 2010) - Adherex Technologies Inc. (TSX: AHX)(PINK SHEETS: ADHXF), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of eniluracil and 5-fluorouracil, is responding to a request from the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) on behalf of the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) following recent trading activity. Adherex is not aware of any material undisclosed corporate developments to account for this activity. Adherex’s policy is not to comment on rumors or speculation, and accordingly does not intend to comment further.

Except for historical information described in this press release, all other statements are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties inherent in the Company’s business that could cause actual results to vary, including such risks that regulatory clinical and guideline developments may change, scientific data may not be sufficient to meet regulatory standards or receipt of required regulatory clearances or approvals, clinical results may not be replicated in actual patient settings, protection offered by the Company’s patents and patent applications may be challenged, invalidated or circumvented by its competitors, the available market for the Company’s products will not be as large as expected, the Company’s products will not be able to penetrate one or more targeted markets, revenues will not be sufficient to fund further development and clinical studies, the Company may not meet its future capital needs, and its ability to obtain additional funding, as well as uncertainties relative to varying product formulations and a multitude of diverse regulatory and marketing requirements in different countries and municipalities, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. Adherex Technologies, Inc. disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements except as required by law.

For a more detailed discussion of related risk factors, please refer to our public filings available at www.sec.gov and www.sedar.com.