Press
Release

Feb 15, 2006

ZIOPHARM to Present at Arch Investment Conference

ZIOPHARM to Present at Arch Investment Conference

NEW YORK, NY - February 15, 2006 - ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. (OTC BB: ZIOP) announced today that Dr. Jonathan Lewis, Chief Executive Officer, will present at the Arch Investment Conference on Thursday, February 23, 2006 at 11:30 a.m. EST at Plaza Athenee Hotel in New York, NY. Dr. Lewis will provide an overview of the Company and an update on its clinical development programs.

The presentation will be webcast live and can be accessed by visiting the Investors section at www.ziopharm.com. The webcast will be archived for ninety days.

About ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc.

ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development and commercialization of a diverse, risk-sensitive portfolio of in-licensed cancer drugs to address unmet medical needs. The Company applies new insights from molecular and cancer biology to understand the efficacy and safety limitations of approved and developmental cancer therapies and identifies proprietary and related molecules for better patient treatment. For more information, visit www.ziopharm.com.

Forward-Looking Safe Harbor Statement:

This press release contains forward-looking statements for ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results and expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from these statements. Among other things, there can be no assurance that any of the Company's development efforts relating to its product candidates will be successful, or such product candidates will be successfully commercialized. Other risks that affect forward-looking information contained in this press release include the possibility of being unable to obtain regulatory approval of the Company's product candidates, the risk that the results of clinical trials may not support the Company's claims, and risks related to the Company's ability to protect its intellectual property and its reliance on third parties to develop its product candidates. The Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

Contact:

Kelly Luethje
Manager, Investor Relations/Communication
617-259-1975