Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Announces Presentation of New Satraplatin Preclinical Data at AACR-NCI-EORTC Meeting

- Synergistic effect in vivo when satraplatin is combined with in non-small cell model - Synergistic effect in vitro when satraplatin active metabolite is administered sequentially with various anticancer therapies, including Tarceva® (erlotinib)

IRVINE, Calif., Nov 16, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- , Inc. (Nasdaq: SPPI) today announced a presentation of new preclinical data on its lead drug candidate satraplatin have taken place at the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics: Discovery, Biology, and Clinical Applications in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The meeting provides a forum for discussion of the latest findings and new directions in research in drug development, cancer therapeutics, and molecular targets.

A poster entitled, "Antitumor activity of satraplatin in combination with paclitaxel in the H460 human non-small cell lung carcinoma xenografted in nude mice," (Abstract #215) showed results from in vivo studies evaluating the efficacy and toxicity of satraplatin and paclitaxel both individually and in combination using various dosing and treatment schedules. The results show that a combination of the two compounds administered sequentially results in therapeutic synergy in this tumor model. The most favorable results were demonstrated when paclitaxel was administered first, followed by satraplatin. These preclinical results may be useful in developing appropriate dosing schedules for clinical testing of a combination therapy of satraplatin and paclitaxel, building on early clinical work with this combination.

A poster entitled, "Synergistic in vitro anticancer activity with sequential schedules of JM-118, a metabolite of satraplatin, in combination with erlotinib, paclitaxel and 5-FU," (Abstract #216) reviewed the results of studies evaluating the cell-killing effect of these drugs alone and in combination with satraplatin in various tumor cell lines. Paclitaxel and 5-FU are used widely for the treatment of various cancers, and Tarceva® (erlotinib) is a targeted therapy being used in the treatment of advanced non- small cell lung cancer, as well as pancreatic cancer. The data presented show that, in all experiments, the effect of a combined sequential treatment with satraplatin was greater than the effect of the individual drug treatment. The amount of the antitumor effect varied depending on the cell line used and the sequence of treatment. The results provide a rationale for the design of clinical studies of satraplatin in combination with each of these drugs.

"As an oral compound, satraplatin provides dosing flexibility, even when combined with an intravenously administered drug," stated Rajesh C. Shrotriya, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals. "The data presented support the strategy of evaluating satraplatin in combination with a variety of other anticancer treatments and are insightful in helping to determine combinations and regimens that warrant further study. We plan to apply this important research to our clinical development plans, which include the initiation of a evaluating satraplatin in combination with paclitaxel."

About Satraplatin

Satraplatin, an investigational drug, is a member of the family of compounds. Over the past two decades, platinum- based drugs have become a critical part of modern treatments and are used to treat a wide variety of cancers. Worldwide sales of these drugs exceeded $2.2 billion in 2004. Unlike the platinum drugs currently on the market, all of which require intravenous administration, satraplatin is an orally bioavailable compound and is given as capsules that patients can take at home. An oral platinum drug could offer key advantages, including ease of administration and patient convenience, in a variety of applications. Satraplatin is being developed by Spectrum's partner, GPC Biotech AG and is in a Phase 3 registrational trial -- the SPARC trial -- as a second-line chemotherapy treatment for hormone-refractory (HRPC). GPC Biotech has completed a Special Protocol Assessment with the U.S. FDA and has received a Scientific Advice letter from the European regulatory authority, the European Medicines Agency (EMEA). The FDA has also granted fast track designation to satraplatin for this indication.

Phase 2 trials have been completed in HRPC, ovarian cancer and small cell lung cancer. Promising early clinical results have been shown when satraplatin is combined with radiation therapy, and a Phase 1/2 study evaluating this combination in patients with non-small cell lung cancer has been initiated. A Phase 1 study evaluating satraplatin in combination with TAXOTERE® () in patients with advanced solid tumors is also underway, and a Phase 2 study in metastatic has recently opened for accrual. Additional studies evaluating satraplatin in combination with other therapies in various cancers are planned. Further information on satraplatin, including the posters referenced in this release, can be found at either www.spectrumpharm.com or at www.gpc-biotech.com. About Spectrum Pharmaceuticals

Spectrum Pharmaceuticals is a specialty pharmaceutical company engaged in the business of acquiring, developing and commercializing prescription drug products for the treatment of cancer and other unmet medical needs. By leveraging its operational flexibility and regulatory proficiency, and using the extensive research and development capabilities of its strategic alliance partners, Spectrum has built a diversified portfolio of proprietary and generic drug products in various stages of development and regulatory approval. For more information, please visit our website at www.spectrumpharm.com.

Forward-looking statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements regarding future events and the future performance of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These statements include but are not limited to statements that relate to our business and its future, the Company's operational flexibility and regulatory proficiency, the extensive research and development capabilities of the Company's strategic alliance partners, and any statements that relate to the intent, belief, plans or expectations of Spectrum or its management, or that are not a statement of historical fact. Risks that could cause actual results to differ include the possibility that our existing and new drug candidates, may not prove safe or effective, the possibility that our existing and new drug candidates may not receive approval from the FDA, and other regulatory agencies in a timely manner or at all, the possibility that our existing and new drug candidates, if approved, may not be more effective, safer or more cost efficient than competing drugs, the possibility that price and other competitive pressures may make the marketing and sale of our generic drugs not commercially feasible, the possibility that our efforts to acquire or in-license and develop additional drug candidates may fail, our lack of revenues, our limited experience in establishing strategic alliances, our limited marketing experience, our limited experience with the generic drug industry, our dependence on third parties for clinical trials, manufacturing, distribution and quality control and other risks that are described in further detail in the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contact: Laurie Little Sr. Director, Investor Relations (949) 743-9216

SOURCE Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Laurie Little, Sr. Director, Investor Relations of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc., +1-949-743-9216 http://www.prnewswire.com