Cell Therapeutics announces that it has been added to the NASDAQ OMX Global Biotechnology Index

Cell Therapeutics, Inc. ("CTI") (NASDAQ and MTA: CTIC) announced today that it has been added to the NASDAQ OMX Global Biotechnology Index (NASDAQ: QGBI). Component changes to the index occurred prior to the market open on September 21, 2009.

The NASDAQ OMX Global Biotechnology Index is a modified market-capitalization weighted index designed to track the performance of the largest and most liquid companies engaged in the biotechnology sector.

"We are pleased that our efforts and progress toward commercializing better drugs for the treatment of cancer is reflected in the addition of CTI to the NASDAQ OMX Global Biotechnology Index," said James A. Bianco, M.D., CEO of CTI. "Being added to this index will provide further exposure of CTI amongst institutional biotechnology investors."

In June, 2009 CTI was added to the Russell 3000(R), Russell 2000(R) and Russell Global(R) Indexes by Russell Investments.