TUSTIN, Calif., Nov 10, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Avid Bioservices, Inc. today announced that it is expanding its biomanufacturing capabilities with the installation of two Thermo Scientific HyClone Single-Use Bioreactors (S.U.B.) in Avid's facility in Tustin, California. These innovative systems will further enhance Avid's ability to meet the growing demand for its cell culture production services. The purchase of the 1000 L S.U.B. follows the successful evaluation of the 100 L S.U.B. in Avid's process development laboratories.

The HyClone S.U.B. consists of a reusable stainless steel outer support container and S.U.B. BioProcess Container (BPC(R)) that integrates with existing bioreactor control systems, providing the advantages of single-use bioprocessing without having to install a complete new bioreactor system. The retrofit product replaces the stainless steel bioreactor vessel in existing bioreactor systems, making it a flexible, rapid and economic option to increase bioreactor capacity.

"The growing demand for our biomanufacturing services led us to assess a number of options for increasing our capacity while maintaining our high quality," said Richard Richieri, senior vice president of bioprocess development and manufacturing at Avid Bioservices. "The Thermo Scientific HyClone S.U.B. disposable system provides a state-of-the-art cell culture production solution that is cost-effective and complements our existing bioreactor production suite. Based on our positive evaluation of the 100 L system, we are pleased to proceed with the larger unit, making Avid the first company in Southern California to install the 1000 L S.U.B. system."

Mr. Richieri continued, "In our evaluation, we have confirmed comparable cell culture growth and product quality between the 100 L S.U.B. and traditional, non-disposable bioreactors. We are also very pleased with the batch-to-batch consistency, which is an extremely important aspect in the manufacture of biologicals."

Avid plans to use the 100 L S.U.B. to produce antibodies and recombinant proteins in multi-gram quantities for its clients. The smaller unit will also support the scale-up work for the 1000 L S.U.B, which will be used to produce clinical material under cGMP conditions.

"Based on our experience to date, we believe that our innovative S.U.B. systems will allow Avid to meet increasing demand for their quality biomanufacturing services quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively," said Spencer Parkinson, bioprocessing systems manager for Thermo Scientific cell culture and bioprocessing. "We are pleased to welcome them as a valued customer and look forward to supporting their efforts as they continue to grow their business."

Avid Bioservices is a wholly owned subsidiary of Peregrine Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: PPHM).

About Avid Bioservices

Avid Bioservices provides a comprehensive range of cGMP manufacturing services for the biotechnology and biopharmaceutical industries. Avid manufactures cGMP commercial product, as well as clinical supplies for all phases of clinical trials. The company's comprehensive range of cGMP services includes cell banking, stability testing, clinical product manufacturing and purification, bulk packaging, final product filling and regulatory support. Avid also provides a variety of process development activities, including cell line optimization, analytical method development and product characterization. Avid has over 10 years of antibody manufacturing experience producing monoclonal antibodies and recombinant proteins in batch, fed-batch and perfusion modes. Avid was recently named the first pre-approved U.S. contract manufacturer of the DSM/Crucell PER.C6(R) production system. For more information about Avid, visit www.avidbio.com.

About Peregrine Pharmaceuticals

Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company with a portfolio of innovative monoclonal antibodies in clinical trials for the treatment of cancer and serious viral infections. The company is pursuing three separate Phase II clinical programs in cancer and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with its lead product candidates bavituximab and Cotara(R). Peregrine also has in-house manufacturing capabilities through its wholly owned subsidiary Avid Bioservices, Inc., which provides development and biomanufacturing services for both Peregrine and outside customers. Additional information about Peregrine can be found at www.peregrineinc.com.

     Contacts:
     Avid Bioservices                         Media
     Candice Fliedner                         GendeLLindheim BioCom Partners
     (714) 508-6188                           Barbara Lindheim
                                              (212) 918-4650

SOURCE Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

http://www.peregrineinc.com

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