ex991.htm

Our loss from operations for the three months ended August 31, 2008 increased to $2.7 million ($0.01 per share) compared to a net loss of $2.1 million ($0.01 per share) during the same period in fiscal 2008. During the quarter ended August 31, 2008 the Company recorded a gain on sale of shares related to the Arrangement (described below) of $450 thousand which reduced the net loss and other comprehensive income to $2.2 million ($0.01 per share). On the close of the Arrangement during the period ended August 31, 2007, the Company realized a gain on the sale of the shares of Old Lorus (described below) in the amount of $6.1 million resulting in Net earnings and other comprehensive income for the period of $4.0 million ($0.02 earnings per share). The increase in loss from operations in the current three-month period as compared to the previous year is primarily a result of higher research and development costs of $396 thousand and higher general and administrative expenses of $105 thousand.

For the three-month period ended August 31, 2008, research and development expenditures increased by $396 thousand to $1.2 million from $782 thousand in the prior year resulting from increased activity within our LOR-2040 and Small Molecule programs. These additional costs included the GLP-toxicology studies for both LOR-253 (our lead small molecule drug candidate) and LOR-2040 in bladder cancer, drug validation in preparation for LOR-253 manufacturing and LOR-2040 drug filling costs.

General and administrative expenses totaled $841 thousand in the three-month period ended August 31, 2008 compared to $736 thousand in same period last year. The slight increase in general and administrative costs is the result of higher personnel and consulting costs incurred within our business development department as well as foreign exchange losses on our outstanding accounts payable balances.

We utilized cash of $1.8 million in our operating activities in three-month period ended August 31, 2008 compared with $2.3 million during the same period in fiscal 2008. The decrease is primarily a result of a reduction in accounts payable and an increase in prepaid and other assets balances in 2007 offset by an increased net loss for the quarter ended August 31, 2008. At August 31, 2008, we had cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of $11.3 million compared to $9.4 million at May 31, 2008. Based on our current plans and projections we believe that our current cash and cash equivalents and short term investments will allow us to continue to execute our research and development plans for more than a year. The current cash position is not sufficient to satisfy the obligation of the existing $15 million convertible debenture that is due in October 2009. The Company is pursuing strategies to address this obligation, which will be considered a current liability effective October 6, 2008.

Lorus Therapeutics Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Loss (unaudited)

	Three			Three
(amounts in 000's except for per common share data)	months ended			months ended
(Canadian dollars)	Aug. 31, 2008			Aug. 31, 2007
REVENUE	$	3		$	26

EXPENSES
Cost of sales		-			1
Research and development		1,178			782
General and administrative		841			736
Stock-based compensation		91			103
Depreciation and amortization of fixed assets		43			79
Operating expenses		2,153			1,701
Interest expense on convertible debentures		217			270
Accretion in carrying value of convertible debentures		377			298
Interest income		(82	)		(140	)
Loss from operation for the period		2,662			2,103
Gain on sale of shares		(450	)		(6,094	)
Net loss (earnings) and other comprehensive loss (income) for the period		2,212			(3,991	)
Basic and diluted loss (earnings) per common share	$	0.01		$	(0.02	)

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding used in the calculation of
Basic loss (earnings) per share		228,407			213,057
Diluted loss (earnings) per share		228,407			227,266

On July 10, 2007 (the “Arrangement Date”), the Company completed a plan of arrangement and corporate reorganization with 4325231 Canada Inc., formerly Lorus Therapeutics Inc., (“Old Lorus”), 6707157 Canada Inc. and Pinnacle International Lands Inc. that resulted in net proceeds of $6.9 million (the “Arrangement”). As a result of the plan of arrangement and reorganization, among other things, each common share of Old Lorus was exchanged for one common share of the Company and the assets (excluding certain future tax assets and related valuation allowance) and liabilities of Old Lorus were transferred to the Company and/or its subsidiaries. The Company continued the business of Old Lorus after the Arrangement Date with the same officers and employees and continued to be governed by the same Board of Directors as Old Lorus prior to the Arrangement Date. Therefore, the Company’s operations have been accounted for on a continuity of interest basis and accordingly, the consolidated financial statement information above reflect that of the Company as if it had always carried on the business formerly carried on by Old Lorus.

Lorus is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the research and development of novel therapeutics in cancer. Lorus’ goal is to capitalize on its research, preclinical, clinical and regulatory expertise by developing new drug candidates that can be used, either alone, or in combination with other drugs, to successfully manage cancer. Through its own discovery efforts and an acquisition and in-licensing program, Lorus is building a portfolio of promising anticancer drugs. Lorus Therapeutics Inc. is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol LOR, and on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol LRP.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian and U.S. securities laws. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to: financings and corporate reorganizations, the establishment of corporate alliances, the Company’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements including words such as “continue”, “expect”, “intend”, “will”, “should”, “would”, “may”, and other similar expressions. Such statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties and are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by us are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements described in this press release. Such expressed or implied forward looking statements could include, among others: our ability to continue as a going concern, our ability to repay or refinance the convertible debentures by October 2009, our ability to obtain the capital required for research and operations; the inherent risks in early stage drug development including demonstrating efficacy; development time/cost and the regulatory approval process; the progress of our clinical trials; our ability to find and enter into agreements with potential partners; our ability to attract and retain key personnel; changing market conditions; and other risks detailed from time-to-time in our ongoing quarterly filings, annual information forms, annual reports and annual filings with Canadian securities regulators and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should the assumptions set out in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our filings with Canadian securities regulators and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission underlying those forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and we do not intend, and do not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. We cannot assure you that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.