VANCOUVER, Nov. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AnorMED Inc. (AMEX:AOM; TSX:AOM) announced today the enrollment of HIV patients into its new clinical trial to evaluate the potential of AMD070 as a new anti-HIV drug. "Novel anti-HIV targets are urgently needed. This is especially true for those HIV patients harboring types of virus that are resistant to currently available therapies. AMD070 is the first anti-HIV drug candidate that targets the HIV entry co-receptor CXCR4. The use of CXCR4 by HIV is known to occur in up to 40% of patients, especially those with more advanced disease, and those failing other treatment options. AMD070 holds great potential for those HIV- infected individuals most in need of new therapeutic options," said Dr. Stephen Becker, Director of Clinical Development, AnorMED Inc. The XACT (X4 Antagonist Concept Trial) trial is fully funded by AnorMED and is being conducted at two leading HIV research centers, one in the U.S. and one in the U.K. XACT is an open label dose finding study which may include up to 4 study cohorts of 12 patients each. Patients in the first cohort will receive 200 mg of AMD070, twice daily, for 10 consecutive days. The objective of the study is to determine the safety and antiviral activity of AMD070 in HIV-infected patients who harbor the CXCR4 using virus. Anti-viral activity is measured by a 1 log reduction in the CXCR4 using virus. Initial data from this study is expected in early 2006. In order to enter and infect cells HIV must bind to either the CXCR4 or CCR5 receptor. Combining CXCR4 and CCR5 HIV entry inhibitors may become a new paradigm in the treatment of HIV. AnorMED's HIV Entry Inhibitor Program is focused on the discovery and development of drugs that target both receptors. AMD070 was developed in-house at AnorMED. It targets the CXCR4 receptor and can be administered in a pill. In addition to the XACT study, AMD070 is also being evaluated in a separate Phase Ib/IIa study being conducted by investigators at the U.S. Adult AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG). AnorMED also has several compounds in preclinical studies that target the CCR5 receptor. AnorMED is a chemistry-based biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of new therapeutic products in the areas of hematology, HIV and oncology. Information on AnorMED Inc. is available on the Company's website: http://www.anormed.com/. Note: Certain of the statements contained in this press release contain forward-looking statements which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not expect to update any forward-looking statements as conditions change. Investors are referred to the discussion of the risk factors associated with the Company's business contained in the Company's Annual Information Form filed with securities regulatory authorities dated June 23, 2005. For further information: Elisabeth Whiting, M.Sc. Kim Nelson, Ph.D. VP Corporate Development & Communications Manager, Investor Relations Tel: (604) 532-4667 Tel: (604) 532-4654 Cell: (604) 763-4682 Cell: (604) 614-2886 E-mail: Email: DATASOURCE: AnorMED Inc. CONTACT: Elisabeth Whiting, M.Sc., VP Corporate Development & Communications, Tel: (604) 532-4667, Cell: (604) 763-4682, E-mail: ; Kim Nelson, Ph.D., Manager, Investor Relations, Tel: (604) 532-4654, Cell: (604) 614-2886, Email:

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