Thallion Pharmaceuticals Inc. Presents Poster on the Apoptotic Properties of TLN-4601 at the AACR-NCI-EORTC Conference

MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - November 18, 2009) - Thallion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (TSX: TLN) today presented non-clinical data on TLN-4601, a proprietary small molecule with the potential to treat multiple tumor types, at the AACR-NCI-EORTC Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics Conference. The data were exhibited in a poster presentation, titled TLN-4601 is a Novel Tumor Selective Pro-Apoptotic Agent Acting Independently of Bax, Bak or Bcl-2 Expression.

“These results highlight the ability of TLN-4601 to rapidly induce cell death in a hematologic tumor cell line and expand our understanding of TLN-4601 beyond its inhibition of the Ras MAPK signaling pathway,” said Lloyd M. Segal, Chief Executive Officer of Thallion. “Apoptotic pathways are validated molecular targets for new cancer therapeutics as apoptotic defects are commonly present in cancer cells. In this study, the differential sensitivity to TLN-4601 observed between a liquid tumor cell line and normal human blood lymphocytes suggests that further investigation in hematological malignancies is warranted.”

The poster summarizes evidence that TLN-4601 induces rapid apoptosis in Jurkat cells (a human T cell lymphoblast-like cell line) via the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Furthermore, the apoptotic-inducing activity of TLN-4601 is independent of the expression of Bax, Bak or Bcl-2, a profile that differentiates Thallion’s compound relative to numerous other apoptotic compounds in development. In this new work, human peripheral blood lymphocytes isolated from healthy donors, as well as Jurkat cells, were exposed to increasing doses of TLN-4601. The results demonstrate a potential therapeutic window between cancer and normal cells.

The poster was presented at the Apoptosis, Necrosis, and Autophagy 2 Session, held today, Wednesday, November 18, 2009 from 12:30pm to 2:30pm (ET) at the Hynes Convention Center, Halls C-D, 2nd Floor, in Boston. The poster is also available on Thallion’s website at www.thallion.com.

About TLN-4601

TLN-4601 is a novel small molecule derived from a nonpathogenic microorganism. It was discovered using DECIPHER®, Thallion’s proprietary genomics-based drug discovery platform. TLN-4601 has demonstrated broad in vitro cytotoxic activity across a diverse panel of tumor cell lines and in vivo efficacy in a number of xenograft tumor models. Phase I clinical testing showed the compound to be safe and well tolerated, with early signs of anti-tumor activity. TLN-4601 is currently being evaluated in a Phase II glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) clinical study.

About Thallion Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Thallion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (TSX: TLN) is a biotechnology company developing pharmaceutical products in the areas of oncology and infectious disease. The Company’s clinical programs include TLN-4601 and Shigamabs®. TLN-4601 is a novel anti-cancer therapy which is being studied in Canada and the United States in a Phase II trial for brain cancer. Shigamabs® is a dual antibody product for the treatment of Shigatoxin producing E. coli bacterial infections which is ready to begin a Phase II/III clinical program upon the completion of a development partnership. Additional information about Thallion can be obtained at www.thallion.com.

About the Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics Conference

Hosted by AACR, NCI and EORTC the Conference brings together academics and scientists and representatives from the pharmaceutical industry to discuss innovation in drug development, target selection and the impact of new discoveries in molecular and cell biology. Understanding the pathways and mechanisms which cause cancer and regulate the biological behavior of tumor cells has lead to the development of numerous new agents and innovative targets for clinical trials. This conference has been organized to reflect the many recent advances in the early development of promising new compounds, which are in different levels of preclinical and clinical development.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements containing the words “believe”, “may”, “plan”, “will”, “estimate”, “continue”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “expect” and other similar expressions which constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements reflect Thallion’s current expectation and assumptions, and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the obtaining of court and other regulatory approvals and consents, the satisfaction of closing conditions, changing market conditions, the successful and timely completion of clinical studies, the establishment of corporate alliances, the impact of competitive products and pricing, new product development, uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process and other risks detailed from time-to-time in Thallion’s ongoing filings with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities which filings can be found at www.sedar.com. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Thallion undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements either as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable Canadian securities laws.