Exhibit 99.1

NEWTON, Mass., March 27, 2008 - Novelos Therapeutics, Inc. (OTCBB: NVLT), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of therapeutics to treat cancer and hepatitis, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with existing institutional investors to raise $5 million in gross proceeds through the sale of shares of a new series of its convertible preferred stock and warrants to purchase its common stock. Novelos has agreed to sell 100 shares of Series D convertible preferred stock, having a stated value equal to $50,000 per share, a cumulative annual dividend of 9% of stated value and a conversion price of $0.65 per share of common stock. The investors will also receive warrants, callable in certain circumstances, expiring in five years to purchase an aggregate of 3,846,151 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.65 per share. The transaction is expected to close within two weeks, subject to the satisfaction of certain closing conditions.

The institutional investors are Xmark Opportunity Funds, OrbiMed Advisors, Knoll Capital and Hunt BioVentures. Rodman & Renshaw, LLC, a subsidiary of Rodman and Renshaw Capital Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: RODM) is serving as an exclusive placement agent, and will receive a cash fee at the closing of the transaction. The preferred stock and warrants will be issued in a private placement transaction under Regulation D of the Securities of Act of 1933 and have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements.  Novelos has agreed to file a registration statement with the SEC covering resales of the common stock issuable upon conversion of the newly issued shares of preferred stock and upon exercise of the warrants. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale of any securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.

 

 

 

Novelos Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company commercializing oxidized glutathione-based compounds for the treatment of cancer and hepatitis. NOV-002, the lead compound currently in Phase 3 development for lung cancer under a SPA and Fast Track, acts together with chemotherapy as a chemoprotectant and an immunomodulator. NOV-002 is also in Phase 2 development for chemotherapy-resistant ovarian cancer and early-stage breast cancer. NOV-205 acts as a hepatoprotective agent with immunomodulating and anti-inflammatory properties. NOV-205 is in Phase 1b development for chronic hepatitis C non-responders. Both compounds have completed clinical trials in humans and have been approved for use in the Russian Federation where they were originally developed. For additional information about Novelos please visit  www.novelos.com

 

Novelos Therapeutics, Inc.