Biomira announces PRA International to assist with completion of BLP25 Liposome Vaccine Phase 3 study in non-small cell lung cancer

EDMONTON, Sept. 12 /CNW/ - Biomira Inc. (Nasdaq:BIOM) (TSX:BRA), a
leading developer of cancer vaccines, today announced the engagement of PRA
International, a leading global clinical research organization, to assist
Biomira and Merck KGaA of Darmstadt, Germany, with the planned phase 3 trial
of BLP25 Liposome Vaccine (L-BLP25) for the treatment of non-small cell lung
cancer. The study is expected to commence towards the end of 2005. The trial
design is currently being discussed with the FDA.
Guy Ely, M.D., Vice President Clinical and Medical Affairs of Biomira
commented, "We are pleased to announce this relationship as it signifies an
important step in advancing L-BLP25. Our phase 2b data were very compelling
and we look forward to working with PRA as we work towards beginning our phase
3 trial by the end of the year."

PRA International is one of the world's leading global clinical
development organizations, with over 2,500 employees in North America, Europe,
South America, Africa, Australia, and Asia. PRA, an ISO 9001:2000 registered
company, delivers services to its clients through a unique approach called
Project Assurance(SM), which represents PRA's commitment to reliable service
delivery, program-level therapeutic expertise, easy, global access to
knowledge, and involved senior management. To learn more about PRA
International, please visit http://www.prainternational.com or call their
World Headquarters at +1 (703) 464-6300.

The Companies
Our key collaboration in developing therapeutic cancer vaccines is with
Merck KGaA. Merck is a global pharmaceutical and chemical company with sales
of EUR 5.9 billion in 2004, a history that began in 1668, and a future shaped
by 28,900 employees in 52 countries. Its success is characterized by
innovations from entrepreneurial employees. Merck's operating activities come
under the umbrella of Merck KGaA, in which the Merck family holds a          
73 per cent interest and free shareholders own the remaining 27 per cent. The
former U.S. subsidiary, Merck & Co., has been completely independent of the
Merck Group since 1917. Merck KGaA has built a strategic oncology portfolio by
developing and in-licensing product candidates in four areas - monoclonal
antibodies, therapeutic vaccines, immunocytokines and angiogenesis inhibitors.

EMD Pharmaceuticals Inc., the U.S. affiliate of Merck KGaA, is a fully
integrated pharmaceutical company with an initial emphasis on launching new
products in oncology. Located in Durham, N.C., EMD focuses on meeting patient
and physician needs with pioneering pharmaceutical products and services.

Biomira is a biotechnology company specializing in the development of
innovative therapeutic approaches to cancer management. Biomira's commitment
to the treatment of cancer currently focuses on the development of synthetic
vaccines and novel strategies for cancer immunotherapy.

This release may contain forward-looking statements. Various factors
could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in
forward-looking statements, including those predicting the timing and results
of clinical trials, availability or adequacy of financing, the sales and
marketing of commercial products or the efficacy of products. Although the
Company believes that the forward-looking statements contained herein are
reasonable, it can give no assurance that the Company's expectations are
correct. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their
entirety by this cautionary statement.