Hana Biosciences Announces Changes in Senior Management

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Jan. 23, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Hana Biosciences , a biopharmaceutical company focused on strengthening the foundation of cancer care, today announced the promotion of Christopher Salentine, Ph.D. to Vice President, Manufacturing. The company also announced the departure of Fred Vitale, Vice President and Chief Business Officer.

"We are pleased to offer this much deserved promotion to Christopher. Through Christopher's efforts in 2007, we were able to successfully sublicense Zensana to Par Pharmaceutical, initiate two technology manufacturing transfers for our Optisomal compounds, and effectively formulate menadione in preparation to enter the clinic in the second quarter of 2008," stated Steven R. Deitcher, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer. "I would also like to recognize the efforts of Fred and his devotion to building the business for Hana. We wish him success in his future endeavors."

Prior to joining Hana, Dr. Salentine was Senior Director, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing and Development at Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc. where he managed Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Control (CMC) activities for a Phase 3 oncology program. Prior to that, he worked for Acologix, Inc. as Director, Pre-Clinical Development, responsible for regulatory, preclinical, and clinical activities. Dr. Salentine also spent six years as a Project Manager at Dow Pharmaceutical Sciences where his duties included the management of new product development for prescription topical products; he successfully managed twelve projects from pre-formulation through Investigational New Drug (IND) applications and into early clinical trials. Dr. Salentine received his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of California, Los Angeles and his B.S., with Honors, in Chemistry, from the University of California, Berkeley.

About Hana Biosciences, Inc.

Hana Biosciences, Inc. is a South San Francisco, CA-based biopharmaceutical company focused on acquiring, developing, and commercializing innovative products to strengthen the foundation of cancer care. The company is committed to creating value by building a best-in-class team, accelerating the development of lead product candidates, expanding its pipeline by being the alliance partner of choice, and nurturing a unique company culture. Additional information can be found at: www.hanabiosciences.com.

The Hana Biosciences, Inc. logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3290

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as "anticipates," "expects," "plans," "believes," "intends," and similar words or phrases. These forward-looking statements include without limitation, statements regarding the timing, progress and anticipated results of the clinical development, regulatory processes, potential clinical trial initiations, potential IND and NDA filings and commercialization efforts of Hana's product candidates, including its Marqibo product candidate. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause Hana's actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results and expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from these statements. Among other things, there can be no assurances that any of Hana's development efforts relating to its other product candidates will be successful, that Hana will be able to obtain regulatory approval of any of its product candidates, and that the results of clinical trials will support Hana's claims or beliefs concerning the effectiveness of its product candidates. Additional risks that may affect such forward-looking statements include Hana's need to raise additional capital to fund its product development programs to completion, Hana's reliance on third-party researchers to develop its product candidates, and its lack of experience in developing and commercializing pharmaceutical products. Additional risks are described in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2007 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Hana assumes no obligation to update these statements, except as required by law.

CONTACT:  Hana Biosciences
          Investor & Media Contact:
          Remy Bernarda, Director, Investor Relations
          (650) 228-2769
          investor.relations@hanabiosciences.com