SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwire - Mar 28, 2012) - Threshold Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: [ THLD ]) today announced that TH-302 will be featured in four presentations, including a late-breaking clinical trial session, at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting, to be held on March 31 - April 4, 2012, in Chicago, IL. Together, the presentations will detail the results of studies combining TH-302, a hypoxia-targeted drug, with currently available therapies such as gemcitabine, Chk1 inhibitors and mTOR inhibitors in the treatment of various solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. The late-breaking oral presentation will report efficacy and safety data from the randomized Phase 2b trial of TH-302 plus gemcitabine versus gemcitabine alone in previously untreated patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Threshold announced last month that the trial achieved its primary endpoint, with a 63% improvement in progression free survival and a safety profile consistent with previous studies, but the detailed findings have been reserved for the AACR meeting.

A conference call and audio webcast will be held Monday, April 2, 2012 at 1:30 PM CT following the late-breaking oral presentation. Conference call dial in and webcast log in details are as follows:

North American callers dial:
1 (866) 516-3867

International callers dial:
1 (253) 237-1160

Participant Conference ID: 66606492

To access the call online via webcast, please click [ here ], or visit [ http://investor.thresholdpharm.com/events.cfm ].

The title, schedule and location are provided below for each of Threshold's presentations. Per AACR policy, all data are embargoed until the presentation begins.

Abstract #: LB-121
Clinical Trials Symposium 2: Late Breaking Clinical Trials
Presentation Title: Randomized phase II study of the efficacy and safety of gemcitabine + TH-302 (G+T) vs gemcitabine (G) alone in previously untreated patients with advanced pancreatic cancer
Session Date/Time: Monday, April 2, 2012 10:30AM- 12:30PM CT
Location: McCormick Place West (Level 1), Room W192
Presenter: Dr. Mitesh J. Borad, Principal Investigator

Abstract #: 1784
Presentation Title:Enhancement of hypoxia-activated prodrug TH-302 activity by Chk1 inhibition
Session Date/Time: Monday, April 2, 2012 8:00AM- 12:00PM CT
Location: McCormick Place West (Hall F), Poster Section 28
Lead Author: Dr. Fanying Meng

Abstract #: 3720
Presentation Title:Combination treatment with hypoxia-activated prodrug TH-302 and the mTOR inhibitor everolimus results in enhanced antitumor efficacy in preclinical models
Session Date/Time: Tuesday, April 3, 2012 8:00AM- 12:00PM CT
Location: McCormick Place West (Hall F), Poster Section 28
Lead Author: Dr. Jessica D. Sun

Abstract #: 4641
Presentation Title:Hypoxia activated pro-drug TH-302 induces hypoxia-dependent anti-leukemia activity in vitro and in vivo
Session Date/Time: Tuesday, April 3, 2012 1:00PM- 5:00PM CT
Location: McCormick Place West (Hall F), Poster Section 28
Lead Author: Dr. Juliana M. Benito

Copies of the presentation and posters will be available at [ www.thresholdpharm.com ] following the close of the sessions.

About TH-302
TH-302 is a hypoxia-targeted drug that is thought to be activated under tumor hypoxic conditions, a hallmark of many cancer indications. Areas of low oxygen levels (hypoxia) within tissues are common in many solid tumors due to insufficient blood vessel growth. Similarly, the bone marrow of patients with hematological malignancies has also been shown, in some cases, to be extremely hypoxic.

TH-302 has been investigated in over 600 patients in Phase 1/2 clinical trials to date in a broad spectrum of tumor types, both as a monotherapy and in combination with chemotherapy treatments and other targeted cancer drugs. Threshold has several additional ongoing clinical trials, the most advanced of which is a Phase 3 pivotal study evaluating TH-302 in combination with doxorubicin versus doxorubicin alone in patients with soft tissue sarcoma, and recently completed a Phase 2b trial of TH-302 in combination with gemcitabine versus gemcitabine alone in pancreatic cancer. In February 2012, Threshold signed a global agreement with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, to co-develop and commercialize TH-302.

About Threshold Pharmaceuticals
Threshold is a biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of drugs targeting Tumor Hypoxia, the low oxygen condition found in microenvironments of most solid tumors as well as the bone marrows of some hematologic malignancies. This approach offers broad potential to treat a variety of cancers. By selectively targeting tumor cells, we are building a pipeline of drugs that hold promise to be more effective and less toxic to healthy tissues than conventional anticancer drugs. For additional information, please visit our website ([ www.thresholdpharm.com ]).

Forward-Looking Statements
Except for statements of historical fact, the statements in this press release are forward-looking statements, including statements regarding TH-302's potential ability to treat cancers, planned clinical trials and anticipated results, and potential therapeutic uses and benefits of TH-302. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that can cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, Threshold's ability to enroll or complete its anticipated clinical trials, the time and expense required to conduct such clinical trials and analyze data, whether such trials confirm results from earlier trials and preclinical studies, potential side effects associated with TH-302, issues arising in the regulatory or manufacturing process and the results of such clinical trials (including product safety issues and efficacy results), and Threshold's ability to raise additional capital to continue funding its operations. Further information regarding these and other risks is included under the heading "Risk Factors" in Threshold's Annual Report on Form 10-K, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2012 and is available from the SEC's website ([ www.sec.gov ]) and on our website ([ www.thresholdpharm.com ]) under the heading "Investors." We undertake no duty to update any forward-looking statement made in this news release.