Genta Incorporated Release: Annual Meeting Of The American Society of Hematology Highlights Clinical Data With Genasense(R) And The Importance Of Its Target In Cancer

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, N.J., Dec. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/- Genta Incorporated announced that its lead anticancer drug Genasense(R) (oblimersen sodium) injection, and the central role of its Bcl-2 target in leukemia and lymphoma, will be featured in a number of presentations at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH). The meeting will take place in Atlanta, GA from December 9-13, 2005.

Scientific symposium

The broad role of DNA- and RNA-based drugs as a new platform for treating cancer will be featured in a scientific symposium on Friday, December 9th. The session is entitled: “DNA and RNA Medicines: A Therapeutic Approach Coming of Age”.

The meeting, that will be chaired by Dr. Anthony Tolcher, MD, FRCP, who is Director of Clinical Research at the Cancer Therapy & Research Center; The Institute for Drug Development, in San Antonio, TX. Dr. Tolcher’s presentation is entitled “Antisense Agents in the Clinic: Progress and Challenges”. Other subjects and speakers include:

“Historical Perspective on DNA and RNA Medicines,” by Dr. Alan M. Gewirtz, MD, who is Professor of the Departments of Medicine and Pathology at the University of Pennsylvania.

“Targets for DNA and RNA Therapeutics” by Dr. Constantine S. Mitsiades, MD, PhD, who is Instructor in Medicine in the Department of Medical Oncology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School.

“Designing Clinical Trials with DNA-based Drugs” by Dr. Guido Marcucci, MD, who is Associate Professor in the Division of Hematology/Oncology at Ohio State University.

“Antisense Therapy in the Treatment of CLL” by Dr. Blanche Mavromatis, MD, who is Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center at Georgetown University.

Scientific Sessions

The scientific importance of the Bcl-2 target is highlighted in more than 700 presentations related to apoptosis and in 132 separate presentations specific to the target. Genasense is being highlighted in the following abstracts:

Saturday, December 10, 2005: Abstract 1097

Title: “Feasibility of Administering Oblimersen (G3139; Genasense) with Imatinib Mesylate in Patients with Imatinib Resistant Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) - Cancer and Leukemia Group B Study 10107.” Authors: Meir Wetzler, Daohai Yu, Olatoyosi Odenike, Eric J. Feldman, David D. Hurd, Eva Hoke, Vera Hars, Richard A. Larson

Sunday, December 11, 2005: Abstract 2129

Title: “Efficacy and Safety of the Combination of Genasense (Oblimersen Sodium, Bcl-2 Antisense Oligonucleotide), Fludarabine and Rituximab in Previously Treated and Untreated Subjects with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.” Authors: Blanche Mavromatis, Kanti R. Rai, Paul K. Wallace, Claudia Soho, Beverly Landrigan, Patricia Meyn, Tracey Wei, Kenneth K. Chan, Philomena Casey, Steven C. Novick, Asher A. Chanan-Khan

Monday, December 12, 2005: Abstract 3360

Title: “Pre-Clinical In Vitro Evaluation of BCL-2 Antisense Compound GenasenseTM (G3139; Genta, Inc.) as a Targeted Pro-Apoptotic Agent for Leukemias with t(4;11)(q21;q23) Translocations.” Authors: Blaine W. Robinson, Kathyrn C. Behling, Jeffrey S. Barrett, Manish Gupta, Jessicca M. Rege, Jonni S. Moore, Andrew D. Bantly, Junhyong Kim, George Hii, Cheryl L. Willman, Jeffrey Potter, Peter C. Adamson, Carolyn A. Felix

Analyst meeting

An invitation-only analyst meeting will be held on Saturday, December 10th that will include leading experts in melanoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Speakers who will discuss current clinical and regulatory issues in these diseases include Dr. Susan O’Brien from the Department of Leukemia, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, and Dr. Alexander Eggermont, who is President of the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), from the Daniel den Hoed Cancer Center in Erasmus, The Netherlands.

About Genasense

Genasense inhibits production of Bcl-2, a protein made by cancer cells that is thought to block chemotherapy-induced apoptosis (programmed cell death). By reducing the amount of Bcl-2 in cancer cells, Genasense may enhance the effectiveness of current anticancer treatment. Genta is pursuing a broad clinical development program with Genasense to evaluate its potential to treat various forms of cancer. Genta has also established a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI).

About Bcl-2

Bcl-2 regulates a critical pathway in the body known as programmed cell death (or apoptosis). Cancer cells frequently develop multiple defects in this pathway that can delay or completely prevent cell death, even after treatment with high doses of chemotherapy. The Bcl-2 protein is found in high levels in most patients with hematologic cancers (such as leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma), and solid tumors (such as melanoma and cancers of the lung, breast, colon and prostate). High levels of Bcl-2 are believed to be a fundamental cause of the inherent resistance of cancer cells to being killed by contemporary forms of anticancer therapy. Bcl-2 expression has been linked to lower response, faster time to cancer progression, and markedly decreased survival.

About Genta

Genta Incorporated is a biopharmaceutical company with a diversified product portfolio that is focused on delivering innovative products for the treatment of patients with cancer. The Company’s research platform is anchored by two major programs that center on oligonucleotides (RNA- and DNA- based medicines) and small molecules. Genasense(R) (oblimersen sodium) Injection, the Company’s lead compound from its oligonucleotide program, is currently undergoing late-stage, Phase 3 clinical testing. The Company has initiated a “rolling” New Drug Application to the Food and Drug Administration for the use of Genasense plus fludarabine and cyclophosphamide in patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The Company has also indicated its intention to submit a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) to the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) for the use of Genasense plus dacarbazine in patients with advanced melanoma. The leading drug in Genta’s small molecule program is Ganite(R) (gallium nitrate injection), which the Company is exclusively marketing in the U.S. for treatment of patients with cancer related hypercalcemia that is resistant to hydration. For more information about Genta, please visit our website at: www.genta.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements with respect to business conducted by Genta Incorporated. By their nature, forward-looking statements and forecasts involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially. For a discussion of those risks and uncertainties, please see the Company’s Annual Report/Form 10-K for 2004.

Genta Incorporated

CONTACT: Tara Spiess, Investor Relations of TS Communications Group, LLC,+1-908-286-3980, or info@genta.com; or Greg Tiberend, Media Relations ofRichard Lewis Communications, Inc., +1-212-827-0020

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