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Presentation of Data on Progen's Cancer Epigenetic Targets Platform

Friday, May 30, 2008 General News
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BRISBANE, Australia, May 30 (ASX: PGL; Nasdaq: PGLA) New data on Progen's cancer epigenetic targetsprogram will be presented tomorrow at the American Association for CancerResearch (AACR) Epigenetics Meeting in Boston by Progen's collaborators at theJohns Hopkins University.
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The data to be presented demonstrates that compounds in Progen's existingpreclinical cancer epigenetics program functionally inhibit the activity ofLSD-1, an exciting new epigenetic cancer target which, if inhibited, mayactivate genes that protect against tumor development. These LSD-1 inhibitorsare the first to demonstrate effective re-expression of aberrantly silencedgenes by targeting this recently discovered cancer gene regulator.
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Dr. Laurence Marton, Progen's Chief Scientific Officer, said, "We havediscovered from in vitro testing that by inhibiting LSD-1 with this new classof compounds we can reactivate genes that normally suppress cancer and aredeactivated in cancer-triggering processes. We are now extending these studiesto animal cancer models to determine if we can inhibit the growth of tumors."

"This is a new frontier in cancer treatment and we are excited to beentering this novel therapeutic area", said Dr. Marton.

Progen already has preliminary preclinical efficacy data for many of itscancer epigenetics compounds, and is planning to move additional relatedcompounds into further efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetic models within thecoming months.

About the AACR Cancer Epigenetic Special Conference: The AACR specialconference on cancer epigenetics assembles prominent investigators in thefield to discuss recent advances in this rapidly moving area. It provides aunique forum to review the remarkable progress in this area over the past fewyears, and provides a glimpse of where the field is moving, with a strongemphasis on translational epigenetics research.

About Progen: Progen Pharmaceuticals is a globally focused biotechnologycompany committed to the discovery, development and commercialization of smallmolecule pharmaceuticals primarily for the treatment of cancer. Progen hasbuilt a focus and strength in anti-cancer drug discovery and development.Progen targets the multiple mechanisms of cancer across its three technologyplatforms, angiogenesis, epigenetics and cell proliferation. Progen hasoperations in Australia and the US.

About Epigenetics: Epigenetics is defined as inherited changes in geneexpression that are not associated with changes in the DNA sequence itself,but rather are associated with changes in the activation and regulation ofgene transcription. Its role in cancer, through the aberrant silencing orrepression of gene expression, is now recognized and a number of epigenetictargets in oncology have now been identified. LSD-1 is the first enzymeidentified to specifically demethylate histone proteins (demethylates Lysine 4of histone H3) and plays an important role in the regulation of specificcancer suppressor genes. LSD-1 inhibitors prevent the action of LSD-1, causingincreased levels of histone methylation, resulting in the reactivation of thecancer suppressing genes.

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are based oncurrent management expectations. These statements may differ materially fromactual future events or results due to certain risks and uncertainties,including without limitation, risks associated with drug development andmanufacture, risks inherent in the extensive regulatory approval processmandated by the United States Food and Drug Administration and the AustralianTherapeutic Goods Administration, delays in obtaining the necessary approvalsfor clinical testing, patient recruitment, delays in the conduct of clinicaltrials, market acceptance of PI-88, PI-166, PG545, PG11047 and other drugs,future capital needs, general economic conditions, and other risks anduncertainties deta
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