Poniard Pharmaceuticals and ALLOZYNE Sign Definitive Merger Agreement

Poniard Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

today announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement with ALLOZYNE, Inc. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Poniard will issue shares of its common stock to ALLOZYNE stockholders based on an exchange ratio to be determined prior to closing of the transaction. Under the exchange ratio formula in the merger agreement, the former ALLOZYNE stockholders are expected to own approximately 65 percent of the combined company, and the former Poniard shareholders are expected to own approximately 35 percent of the combined company, each on a fully diluted basis. The exchange ratio has been calculated using the 5-day average closing sales price of Poniard common stock prior to the merger announcement, or $0.2270 per share. The exchange ratio is subject to adjustment as described in the merger agreement. If the merger is consummated, the combined company will be renamed ALLOZYNE, Inc. and will be based in Seattle.