Astex Pharmaceuticals to Present at EORTC-NCI-AACR

Astex Pharmaceuticals to Present at EORTC-NCI-AACR

DUBLIN, Calif., Oct. 31, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(Nasdaq:ASTX), a pharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery and
development of novel small molecule therapeutics, today announced the
acceptance of three abstracts for presentation at the EORTC-NCI-AACR Symposium
on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics. Poster presentations will occur
Nov 7 – 9 in Dublin, Ireland.

XIAP                    Abstract #85, Poster Board #052
Poster Presentation:    Wednesday, Nov 7, 2012         12:00 – 2:15 pm GMT
Characterization of a potent XIAP and cIAP1 dual antagonist in models of
melanoma and leukemia
                                                                    
AT13387                 Abstract #293, Poster Board #043
Poster Presentation:    Thursday, Nov 8, 2012          12:00 – 2:15 pm GMT
Activity of the HSP90 inhibitor, AT13387, in ALK-driven tumor models
                                                                    
SGI-110                 Abstract #465, Poster Board #036
Poster Presentation     Friday, Nov 9, 2012            8:30 – 10:30 am GMT
SGI-110, a novel second generation DNA hypomethylating agent, enhances
sorafenib activity and alters methylation signature of HCC cell lines

Select posters will be made available for viewing on the company's website
http://astx.com/pipeline/publications/ following the public presentation.

About Astex Pharmaceuticals

Astex Pharmaceuticals is dedicated to the discovery and development of novel
small molecule therapeutics with a focus on oncology. The Company is
developing a proprietary pipeline of novel therapies and is creating de-risked
products for partnership with leading pharmaceutical companies. Astex
Pharmaceuticals developed DACOGEN® (decitabine) for Injection and receives
significant royalties on global sales.

For more information about Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc., please visit
http://www.astx.com.

The Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. logo is available at
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=12273

CONTACT: Timothy L. Enns
         Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
         Senior Vice President
         Corporate Communications & Marketing
         Tel: +1 (925) 560-2810
         E-mail: tim.enns@astx.com

         Alan Roemer
         The Trout Group
         Managing Director
         Tel: +1 (646) 378-2945
         E-mail: aroemer@troutgroup.com
        
         Susanna Chau
         Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
         Manager
         Investor Relations
         Tel: +1 (925) 560-2845
         E-mail: susanna.chau@astx.com

         Kari Watson
         MacDougall Biomedical Communications
         Senior Vice President
         Tel: +1 (781) 235-3060
         E-mail: kwatson@macbiocom.com

Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. logo