Edmonton, AB (CTI) - August 30, 2006 - Biomira Inc. (TSX: BRA; Nasdaq: BIOM) today announced the appointment of Robert L. Kirkman, MD, as President and Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Kirkman has also bee appointed its board of directors.

Dr. Kirkman was formerly Acting President and CEO of Xcyte Therapies, Inc. of Seattle, Washington, which concluded a merger with Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals, Inc., in March 2006. Dr. Kirkman was Chief Business Officer and Vice President at Xcyte from 2004-2005.

Dr. Kirkman's former experience also includes
1998 to 2003 - Vice President, Business Development and Corporate Communications at Protein Design Labs;
1981 to 1998 - The Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston as a surgeon and subsequently as Chief, Division of Transplantation.

Dr. Kirkman holds a BA in Economics from Yale University and an MD from Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Alex McPherson resigned as President & CEO of Biomira in May 2006.

Dr. Christopher Henney, former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dendreon Corporation (Nasdaq: DNDN), has been elected Chairman of Biomira, replacing Eric Baker who remains on Biomira's board. Dr. Henney was appointed to Biomira's board of directors in March 2005.

Baker, President of Miralta Capital II Inc., has been on Biomira's board since August 1985. Miralta Capital and its affiliates were the early investors/backers of Biomira.

Edmonton, Alberta based Biomira is a biotechnology company specializing in the development of innovative therapeutic approaches to cancer management.