lorus6k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

News release via Canada NewsWire, Toronto 416-863-9350

	    Attention Business/Financial Editors:
	    Lorus Therapeutics Reports Results for Fiscal Year 2008

	    TORONTO, July 21 /CNW/ - Lorus Therapeutics Inc. (Lorus), a
biopharmaceutical company specializing in the research and development of
pharmaceutical products and technologies for the management of cancer, today
reported financial results for the year ended May 31, 2008. Unless specified
otherwise, all amounts are in Canadian dollars.

	    <<
	    2008 HIGHLIGHTS

	    -   Initiation of GLP toxicology studies for Lorus' lead anticancer small
	        molecule drug LOR-253. The toxicology studies, currently underway,
	        are designed to support the filing of an Investigational New Drug
	        (IND) application with the U.S. FDA for LOR-253 to initiate a Phase I
	        clinical study in cancer indications. Lorus intends to submit an IND
	        for LOR-253 by the Q4/2008 or 1Q/2009, following successful
	        completion of the toxicology program in the third quarter of 2008
	        calendar year.
	    -   Announced completion of a proof-of-concept clinical trial in Acute
	        Myeloid Leukemia (AML), and expansion of its LOR-2040 development
	        program in this indication, with initiation of a more advanced
	        Phase II clinical trial. The proof-of-concept study generated
	        encouraging results demonstrating safety and appropriate dosing of
	        the combination regimen. Notably, promising clinical responses in
	        patients under 60 years of age were obtained which included complete
	        responses in 35% of the 23 patients and significant cytoreduction of
	        leukemic blasts in two others. Moreover, the clinical responses
	        correlated with downregulation of R2, the cellular target of LOR-
	        2040, and were further supported by demonstration of intracellular
	        LOR-2040 in circulating and bone marrow leukemic cells.
	    -   Signed an exclusive multinational license agreement with Zor
	        Pharmaceuticals LLC ("ZOR") formed as a subsidiary of Zoticon
	        Bioventures Inc. ("Zoticon"), to further develop and commercialize
	        Virulizin(R) for human therapeutic applications. ZOR is responsible
	        for the cost of all clinical development, regulatory submissions and
	        commercialization of Virulizin(R) in North and South America, Europe
	        and Israel. Under the terms of the licensing agreement, Lorus is
	        entitled to receive payments in excess of US$10 million in upfront
	        and various clinical and regulatory milestones payments as well as
	        royalties that vary from 10-20% depending on sales of Virulizin(R).
	        Lorus also received 25% of the initial equity in ZOR. In addition,
	        Lorus has entered into a Service Agreement with ZOR to assist in the
	        transfer of knowledge for moving forward with the clinical
	        development program for Virulizin(R).
	    -   Commenced a development program aimed at expanding the therapeutic
	        application of its clinical-stage drug LOR-2040 for the treatment of
	        superficial bladder cancer.
	    -   Completed a corporate reorganization resulting in approximately
	        $6.9 million in additional cash for Lorus without diluting the equity
	        interests of existing securityholders
	    -   Announced a rights offering to Lorus shareholders to raise, if fully
	        subscribed, gross proceeds of $7.1 million. Each shareholder will
	        receive one right and 4 rights will entitle the holder to purchase
	        one unit consisting of one common share and 1/2 common share purchase
	        warrant.
	    >>

	    "We are pleased with the important milestones achieved during fiscal 2008
including the initiation of GLP-toxicology studies for LOR-253; the
commencement of a Phase II clinical trial for LOR-2040 in AML; and a key
licensing transaction for Virulizin(R)", stated Dr. Aiping Young, President
and CEO of Lorus. "In addition to the key scientific milestones achieved
during fiscal 2008, we have strengthened our financial position through a
$6.9 million non-dilutive financing by means of corporate reorganization and
initiation of a rights offering. The achievements realized this year have
resulted in a necessary increase in research and development expenditures,
although we expect our overall expenditures to decrease significantly in
fiscal 2009".

	    FINANCIAL RESULTS

	    Due to an increase in research and development activities as described
below, loss from operations excluding the gain on sale relating to the
arrangement (as discussed below) for the year ended May 31, 2008, increased to
$12.6 million from $9.6 million in the same period last year. On the close of
the arrangement, in July 2007, the Company realized a gain on the sale of the
shares of Old Lorus in the amount of $6.3 million resulting in a net loss for
the year ended May 31, 2008 of $6.3 million ($0.03 per share).
	    Research and development expenses increased to $6.1 million for the year
ended May 31, 2008 as compared $3.4 million in the prior year.
	    The increase in research and development expenditures in the year ended
May 31, 2008 is due to a significant increase in activity within our LOR-2040
and Small Molecule development programs, in particular, due to the
manufacturing cost of LOR-2040 needed to complete the ongoing Phase I and
Phase II clinical studies as well as future potential development initiatives.
Other contributing factors include the initiation of an advanced Phase II
clinical trial with LOR-2040 in AML, GLP-toxicology studies with LOR-2040 for
the treatment of bladder cancer, and the advancement of our small molecule
program into GLP-toxicology studies.
	    For the year ended May 31, 2008, general and administrative expense was
$3.9 million compared with $3.8 million in the same period last year. General
and administrative expenditures have remained consistent with the prior year.
	    The Company utilized cash of $10.2 million in operating activities in the
year ended May 31, 2008 compared with $6.3 million during the year ended May
31, 2007 reflecting the increase in research and development activities during
the year. At May 31, 2008, Lorus had cash and cash equivalents, short-term
investments and marketable securities of $9.4 million compared to
$12.2 million at May 31, 2007. Lorus believes that its current cash and cash
equivalents, short-term investments and marketable securities and interest
income will be sufficient to carry out the current research and development
plans and operations through to the first quarter of fiscal 2010.

	    <<
	    Lorus Therapeutics Inc.
	    Consolidated Statements of Loss (unaudited)

	                                                  Years Ended May 31
	                                        -------------------------------------
	    (Canadian dollars)                        2008         2007         2006
	    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
	    REVENUE                             $       43   $      107   $       26
	    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

	    EXPENSES
	    Cost of sales                                2           16            3
	    Research and development                 6,087        3,384       10,237
	    General and administrative               3,888        3,848        4,334
	    Stock-based compensation                   719          503        1,205
	    Depreciation and amortization of
	     fixed assets                              317          402          771
	    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
	    Operating expenses                      11,013        8,153       16,550
	    Interest expense on convertible
	     debentures                              1,029        1,050          882
	    Accretion in carrying value of
	     convertible debentures                  1,045          935          790
	    Amortization of deferred financing
	     charges                                   131          110           87
	    Interest income                           (542)        (503)        (374)
	    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
	    Loss from operation for the period      12,633        9,638       17,909
	    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
	    (Gain) on sale of shares                (6,299)
	    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
	    Net (earnings)/loss and other
	     comprehensive income for the
	     period                                  6,334        9,638       17,909
	    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
	    Basic and diluted loss per common
	     share                             $      0.03   $     0.05   $     0.10
	    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
	    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
	    Weighted average number of common
	     shares outstanding used in the
	     calculation of basic and diluted
	     loss per share                        215,084      204,860      173,523
	    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
	    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
	    >>

	    Note re the financial statement information above:

	    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 (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.

	    About 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.

	    Forward Looking Statements

	    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 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.
	    Lorus Therapeutics Inc.'s recent press releases are available through its
website at www.lorusthera.com. For Lorus' regulatory filings on SEDAR, please
go to www.Sedar.com. For SEDAR filings prior to July 10, 2007 you will find
these under the company profile for Global Summit Real Estate Inc. (Old
Lorus).

	    %CIK: 0000882361

	    /For further information: Lorus Therapeutics Inc., Dr. Saeid Babaei,
(416) 798-1200, ext. 490, ir(at)lorusthera.com/
	    (LRP LOR.)

CO:  Lorus Therapeutics Inc.

CNW 13:56e 21-JUL-08

	Lorus Therapeutics Inc.


Date: July 21, 2008	By:	/s/ “Elizabeth Williams”
		Elizabeth Williams
		Director of Finance and Controller