SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., May 13, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hana Biosciences (Nasdaq:HNAB), a biopharmaceutical company focused on strengthening the foundation of cancer care, today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2008.

Net loss was $6.3 million, or $0.19 per share, for the first quarter 2008 compared to $8.2 million, or $0.28 per share, for the same period in 2007. Cash used in operations was $6.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2008. Hana Biosciences ended the quarter with approximately $14 million in cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments.

"I am pleased to report that Hana ended the first quarter of 2008 on track with our planned development strategy centered on the advancement of Marqibo(r) and menadione. With sufficient financial resources to fund operations into the second half of 2009, we remain focused on reaching our milestones and believe we are well positioned to execute on our timelines," said John Iparraguirre, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

Key Achievements for the Quarter Ended March 31, 2008

 * Completed Phase 1 clinical trial for Alocrest(tm) and announced
   top-line data demonstrating Alocrest to be well-tolerated with
   promising anti-tumor activity
 * Activated menadione Investigational New Drug (IND) application with
   the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
 * Initiated United States, Canadian, German and Israeli sites for
   Marqibo relapsed ALL (rALLy) trial
 * Established a new Clinical and Scientific Advisory Board
 * Appointed Paul V. Maier to Hana's Board of Directors

Hana Biosciences' management will host a conference call discussion today at 5:00pm EDT, 2:00pm PDT. Those interested in hearing management's discussion may join the call by dialing (877) 407-8031 in the U.S./Canada. International participants may access the call by dialing (201) 689-8031. A replay of this call will be available for one month by dialing (877) 660-6853 U.S./Canada and (201) 612-7415 for International participants. When prompted, enter Account Number #286 and Conference ID #282310. Participants may also access a webcast of the conference call at Hana's website at www.hanabiosciences.com.

About Hana Biosciences, Inc.

Hana Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:HNAB) 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 accelerating the development of its product candidates, including entering into strategic partnership agreements and expanding its product candidate pipeline by being an alliance partner of choice to universities, research centers and other companies. Additional information on Hana Biosciences 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. 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-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Hana assumes no obligation to update these statements, except as required by law.

                          HANA BIOSCIENCES, INC.

                         CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS



                                             March 31,    December 31,
                                               2008           2007
                                          -------------  -------------
 ASSETS                                     (Unaudited)
 Current assets:
 Cash and cash equivalents                $  13,945,983  $  20,795,398
 Available-for-sale securities                  120,000         96,000
 Prepaid expenses and other current assets      424,735        489,293
                                          -------------  -------------
    Total current assets                     14,490,718     21,380,691

 Property and equipment, net                    432,415        432,529
 Restricted cash                                125,000        125,000
 Debt issuance costs                          1,413,973      1,423,380
                                          -------------  -------------
 Total assets                             $  16,462,106  $  23,361,600
                                          =============  =============

 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 Current liabilities:
 Accounts payable                         $     379,933  $   1,682,739
 Accrued other expenses                       1,278,574        496,239
 Accrued personnel related expenses             288,435        763,050
 Leased equipment: short-term                    13,919         13,919
 Accrued research and development costs         897,161      1,156,011
                                          -------------  -------------
     Total current liabilities                2,858,022      4,111,958
                                          -------------  -------------
 Notes payable                                2,080,000      2,025,624
 Warrant liabilities                          4,242,285      4,232,355
 Leased equipment: long-term                     30,548         33,861
                                          -------------  -------------
 Total long term liabilities                  6,352,833      6,291,840
                                          -------------  -------------
 Total liabilities                            9,210,855     10,403,798
 Commitments and contingencies
  (Notes 9 and 10):

 Stockholders' equity:
 Common stock; $0.001 par value:
 100,000,000  shares  authorized,
  32,181,407  and  32,169,553  shares
  issued and outstanding at March 31, 2008
  and December 31, 2007, respectively            32,181         32,170
 Additional paid-in capital                 102,372,328    101,843,390
 Accumulated other comprehensive loss           (80,000)      (104,000)
 Accumulated deficit                        (95,073,258)   (88,813,758)
                                          -------------  -------------
 Total stockholders' equity                   7,251,251     12,957,802
                                          -------------  -------------
 Total liabilities and stockholders'
  equity                                  $  16,462,106  $  23,361,600
                                          =============  =============


                           HANA BIOSCIENCES, INC.


       CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
                                (Unaudited)


                                               Three Months Ended
                                                    March 31,
                                          ----------------------------
                                              2008            2007
                                          -------------  -------------

 Operating expenses:
 General and administrative               $   1,900,920  $   3,346,985
 Research and development                     4,264,332      5,237,904
                                          -------------  -------------
 Total operating expenses                     6,165,252      8,584,889
                                          -------------  -------------

 Loss from operations                        (6,165,252)    (8,584,889)
                                          -------------  -------------
 Other income (expense):
 Interest income                                170,908        392,940
 Interest expense                              (249,164)        (1,376)
 Other expense, net                              (6,062)        (5,251)
 Change in fair market value of warrant
  liabilities                                    (9,930)            --

                                          -------------  -------------
 Total other income (loss)                      (94,248)       386,313
                                          -------------  -------------

 Net loss                                 $  (6,259,500) $  (8,198,576)
                                          =============  =============

 Net loss per share, basic and diluted    $        0.19  $        0.28
                                          =============  =============
 Weighted  average  shares used in
  computing  net loss per share, basic
  and diluted                                32,181,275     29,286,139

 Comprehensive loss:
 Net loss                                 $  (6,259,500) $  (8,198,576)
 Unrealized holdings gains (losses)
  arising during the period                      24,000       (136,000)

                                          -------------  -------------
 Comprehensive loss                       $  (6,235,500) $  (8,334,576)
                                          =============  =============

CONTACT:  Hana Biosciences
          Remy Bernarda, Director, Investor Relations
          (650) 228-2769
          Fax: (650) 588-2787
          investor.relations@hanabiosciences.com