ARIUS Anti-Cancer Antibodies and FunctionFIRST(TM) Platform Featured at AACR

Novel antibodies and unique discovery platform capture 6 presentation
                                slots

TORONTO, April 12 /CNW/ - ARIUS Research Inc. (TSX-VE: ARI) announced
today that it will present data on therapeutic anti-cancer antibody programs
generated from its FunctionFIRST(TM) platform, and results from its research
collaboration with Oxford BioMedica (LSE: OXB) at the 96th Annual Meeting of
the American Association for Cancer Research in Anaheim/Orange County, CA from
April 16-20, 2005.
ARIUS has substantially increased its pipeline of antibodies and cancer
targets over the last year, which is reflected in the record number of
presentations for this year. ARIUS will disclose the target and new data for a
family of highly effective anti-cancer antibodies in a series of three
presentations:

  Abstract No. 2340: Identification and validation of CD63 as a new
  therapeutic target. Monday April 18, 2005, 8:00 AM-12:00 PM, Section
  Number: 26.

  Abstract No. 2338: 3 unique antibodies demonstrate therapeutic effects
  against CD63, a novel target for cancer therapy. Monday April 18, 2005
  8:00 AM-12:00 PM, Section Number: 26.

  Abstract No. 551: CD63 cancer antigen in multiple tumor types:
  Targeting by the functional antibody AR7BD-33-11A results in anti-tumor
  activity. Sunday April 17, 2005, 8:00 AM-12:00 PM, Section Number: 24.

Separately, ARIUS will address the need for multiple antibody therapies
to offer targeted options to the greatest number of patients and the
opportunity that exists to combine antibodies to pursue greater efficacy.

  Abstract No. 693: Towards enabling personalized cancer drug therapy:
  Functional monoclonal antibodies target overlapping populations of
  human breast cancer and melanoma. Sunday April 17, 2005,
  8:00 AM-12:00 PM, Section Number: 29.

ARIUS will add to the body of knowledge on its anti-cancer antibody,
ARH460-16-2 and release new data on how the antibody works through apoptosis
(inducing cell suicide) to kill cancer cells.

  Abstract No. 1768: Functional monoclonal antibody, ARH460-16-2,
  inhibits tumor growth and prolongs survival by inducing apoptosis
  through CD44. Monday April 18, 2005, 8:00 AM-12:00 PM,
  Section Number: 12.

Finally, ARIUS, in collaboration with their partner Oxford BioMedica,
will present the first results for the company in liver cancer, an important
and growing problem in Asia and other parts of the world affected by
hepatitis B, hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver.

  Abstract No. 5138: Characterisation of a hepatocellular
  carcinoma-specific antibody AR5LAC-23. Tuesday April 19, 2005,
  1:00 PM-5:00 PM, Section Number: 30.

"We are excited by the information we are presenting at AACR this year.
This represents the culmination of several years' worth of work on an exciting
new cancer target, CD63. The excitement around CD63 is, of course, due to the
highly effective therapeutic antibodies that ARIUS has developed to treat
cancers that express this target. We are also presenting advances in our other
antibody programs which represent key contributions to the area of targeted
therapy in cancer. These include understanding how ARH460-16-2 works to
control cancer, and significantly prolong survival. We address how
combinations of anti-cancer antibodies can be used to target specific patient
groups who may benefit from using different ARIUS antibodies in conjunction
with those already being marketed. We are also very pleased to present
information on the target of a liver cancer specific antibody generated from
the FunctionFIRST(TM) platform. Liver cancer is one of the very lethal forms
of cancer that is highly prevalent in many parts of the world that desperately
requires a breakthrough. We believe that the target of AR5LAC-23 will be one
step towards that breakthrough," said Dr. Susan Hahn, Director of R&D at
ARIUS.
All sessions will be presented in Exhibit Hall B-D at the Anaheim
Convention Center. Full text of the abstracts can be obtained through AACR
(http://www.aacr.org/) by following the link labeled "96th Annual Meeting
2005" and then on the 2005 AACR Annual Meeting webpage "Access the 2005
Proceedings of the AACR and Online Itinerary Planner" and searching for ARIUS.

About AACR

Founded in 1907, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) is a
professional society of more than 20,000 laboratory and clinical scientists
engaged in cancer research in the United States and more than 60 other
countries. AACR's mission is to accelerate the prevention and cure of cancer
through research, education, communication and advocacy. Its principal
activities include the publication of five major peer-reviewed scientific
journals (Cancer Research; Clinical Cancer Research; Molecular Cancer
Therapeutics; Molecular Cancer Research; and Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers &
Prevention). AACR's annual meeting attracts more than 12,000 participants who
share new and significant discoveries in the cancer field, and the AACR's
specialty meetings throughout the year focus on all the important areas of
basic, translational and clinical cancer research.

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       ARIUS Research's Annual General Meeting will be held on
  April 27, 2005 at 9:00 a.m. at the TSX Conference Centre Gallery,
               130 King Street West, Toronto, Ontario

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About ARIUS Research

ARIUS Research Inc. is a biotechnology company dedicated to the discovery
and development of novel anticancer monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). Established
in 1999, ARIUS has built a proprietary technology platform, FunctionFIRST(TM),
that rapidly identifies powerful MAbs targeting a variety of cancer
indications. This antibody generation engine has enabled ARIUS to assemble a
growing pipeline of over 250 functional MAbs, which may be used for commercial
collaborations, out-licensing or in-house development. ARIUS has ongoing
licensing and research partnerships with key biotechnology and drug
development companies that provide revenues and access to external
technologies. The long-term vision of ARIUS is to deliver personalized therapy
by matching multiple antibodies to the distinct antigenic characteristics of
each patient's tumor cells thereby increasing efficacy and avoiding side
effects. ARIUS is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "ARI".

Forward-Looking Statement

Certain statements in this news release constitute "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995, which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
factors that may cause our actual results to be materially different from any
future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such
statements. Forward-looking statements in this release include, but are not
limited to, ARIUS successfully advancing its new product programs as well as
licensing opportunities. These statements are only predictions and actual
events or results may differ materially. Factors that could cause such actual
events or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements to
differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by such
statements include, but are not limited to: early stage of development;
technology and product development; dependence on and management of current
and future corporate collaborations; future capital needs; uncertainty of
additional funding; no assurance of market acceptance; dependence on
proprietary technology and uncertainty of patent protection; intense
competition; manufacturing and market uncertainties; and government
regulation. These and other factors are described in detail in the Company's
Annual Report, forthcoming news releases and other filings with Canadian
securities regulatory authorities and the U.S. Securities & Exchange
Commission. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations
and ARIUS is not obligated to update such information to reflect later events
or developments.

       The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not
accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this statement.