Dendreon Corporation publishes findings of novel cancer gene in Cancer Research

Seattle, WA (April 30, 2001) – Researchers at Dendreon Corporation (Nasdaq: DNDN) today reported in the May edition of Cancer Research their discovery of a gene widely expressed in a variety of prevalent cancers but not significantly expressed in normal tissue. The study describes the identification and cloning of the gene, called trp-p8, and the display of this gene on a number of cancers including those of the lung, breast, colon and prostate. Dendreon Corporation recently announced it has received a patent from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office covering the trp-p8 gene.

“The trp-p8 gene is expressed in all types of cancers thus tested and may provide an opportunity for the development of novel therapies that can treat more than one type of cancer,” said Reiner Laus, M.D., Vice President of Research at Dendreon and senior author of the paper. “We are currently engineering this gene, using our antigen engineering technologies, to create a new therapeutic vaccine, APC80TR. Trp-p8 may also be a target for the development of monoclonal antibodies and could prove helpful in creating methods to diagnose cancer and monitor progression and treatment of the disease.”

The discovery of the trp-p8 gene is part of Dendreon’s ongoing research and development efforts aimed at identifying and developing immunotherapy approaches for the treatment of cancer. Dendreon currently has three therapeutic cancer vaccines in clinical trials. ProvengeTM, for the treatment of prostate cancer, is in Phase III trials for the treatment of hormone refractory prostate cancer. MylovengeTM is currently in Phase II trials for the treatment of multiple myeloma. And APC8024 is in clinical trials that will be targeting patients with breast, ovarian and colon cancers.

Dendreon Corporation (www.dendreon.com) is dedicated to the discovery and development of novel products for the treatment of cancer through its innovative manipulation of the immune system. Dendreon is focused on the development of therapeutic cancer vaccines through the use of antigen discovery, antigen engineering and dendritic cell technologies.

Except for historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements, particularly those inherent in the process of discovering, developing and commercializing drugs that are safe and effective for use as human therapeutics. Factors that may cause such a difference include risks related to Dendreon’s limited operating history, risks associated with completing our clinical trials, dependence on the efforts of third parties, and our dependence on intellectual property. Further information on the factors and risks that could affect Dendreon’s business, financial condition and results of operations, are contained in Dendreon’s SEC Reports, including Dendreon’s Forms 10-K and 10-Q, which are available at www.sec.gov.