-Immunocidin and Sin Susto Launched at Ontario Veterinary Medical Association
Conference-
BELLEVILLE, ON, Jan. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ - Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. (TSX:
BNC) (ASX: BNC), a research-based, technology-driven Canadian
biopharmaceutical company, today announced that its Immunocidin canine oncology therapy and its Sin Susto canine calming agent are both being launched in Canada at the annual
Ontario Veterinary Medical Association Conference this week. The
conference takes place from January 23-26 in Toronto, Ontario.
Immunocidinis based on the Company's proprietary mycobacterial cell wall
technology, the same platform from which its Phase III product for
human bladder cancer (Urocidin)was derived. Immunocidinis indicated as an immunotherapy for the intratumoral treatment of mixed
mammary tumor and mammary adenocarcinoma in dogs. The product was
launched in the U.S. in October, 2012.
Sin Susto - "without fear" - is an herbal calming product for dogs in chewable
tablet form that was developed in collaboration with the University of
Ottawa. The product is made from natural botanical ingredients and acts
as an agonist at the Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptor site. GABA is the primary inhibitory chemical messenger in the
brain. Sin Susto has been proven safe and effective, is highly palatable, is
non-habit-forming and non-psychotic, and does not act as a
tranquilizer.
"We believe that both of these products represent important additions to
our growing companion animal product line," said Mr. Andrew Grant,
President, Bioniche Animal Health (global). "Immunocidin does not require special handling and can be used by veterinarians in
their own clinics, either alone or in combination with other therapies.
Sin Susto offers a safe, effective, non-habit-forming alternative to traditional
pharmaceuticals that are known to have significant side effects."
About Canine Cancer
Canine cancer is the leading disease-related cause of death in dogs,
with approximately one in four dying of cancer.
Where a treatment is used in dogs with cancer, it can involve surgery,
radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Radiation therapy is difficult to
access and chemotherapy is highly toxic, requiring handling by
specially trained personnel, which many companion animal veterinary
clinics do not have. These therapies have similar side effects in
animals as in humans (anorexia, nausea, hair loss, anemia, major
infections, etc.) and can vastly diminish the dog's quality of life.
Surgery and therapy costs for dogs with cancer can range from $3,000 to
$15,000 and above, depending upon type and stage of cancer, number and
type of primary and supportive treatments required, the age and
condition of the dog, and the location of treatment (travel costs).
Second Bioniche Canine Cancer Therapy - Oncocidin
A second canine oncology product - Oncocidin- is in development. This is an I.V. therapy for canine cancer based on
the same technology as Urocidin, the Company's human bladder cancer therapy. Chemotherapy treatment
commonly causes cytopenia, a deficiency in the number of cellular
elements in the blood, specifically, neutrophils. Experimental studies
show that a single dose of Oncocidinfollowing chemotherapy treatment in healthy dogs restores the number of
white blood cells in the dog to normal levels within 24 to 48 hours
after treatment. The Company is undertaking dose confirmation studies
prior to conducting final licensing studies. It is anticipated that
this work will be completed by the end of 2013, after which regulatory
approvals will be sought, first in North America, then in Australia and
Europe. The Company is currently waiting for Canadian and U.S.
regulatory approvals of licensing study protocols.
About Canine Behavioural Problems and Related Therapies
Many dogs experience fear, nervousness and stress, whether due to
emotional triggers (e.g., separation, socialization issues) or physical
triggers (loud noises (e.g., thunder), vehicle travel, visits to the
veterinarian and/or groomer). Separation anxiety is noted as one of the
most common canine behavior problems, diagnosed in between 20% and 40%
of dogs referred to animal behavior practices in North America (AVMA).
Noise aversion is another common behavioral problem in dogs. There are
several treatments currently available for such conditions, including
pharmacotherapy (e.g., benzodiazepines, phenothiazines, tricyclic
antidepressants (TCAs), and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
(SSRIs)), behavioural management and systematic desensitization,
dog-appeasing pheromones, and homeopathic remedies (Sherman and Mills,
2008).
About Bioniche Life Sciences Inc.
Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. is a research-based, technology-driven
Canadian biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery,
development, manufacturing, and marketing of proprietary and innovative
products for human and animal health markets worldwide. The
fully-integrated company employs more than 200 skilled personnel and
has three operating divisions: Human Health, Animal Health, and Food
Safety. The Company's primary goal is to develop and commercialize
products that advance human or animal health and increase shareholder
value.
Bioniche Animal Health develops, manufactures and markets veterinary
biopharmaceutical products worldwide. In North America, it has
development, manufacturing and marketing facilities in Belleville,
Ontario, Canada, Athens, Georgia, U.S.A. and Pullman, Washington,
U.S.A. In Australia, business is conducted from two sites: Sydney, New
South Wales, where sales and marketing, customer support and technical
service are located; and Armidale, New South Wales, where research,
development and manufacturing facilities are located.
For more information, please visit www.Bioniche.com.
Except for historical information, this news release may contain
forward-looking statements that reflect the Company's current
expectation regarding future events. These forward-looking statements
involve risk and uncertainties, which may cause, but are not limited
to, changing market conditions, the successful and timely completion of
clinical studies, the establishment of corporate alliances, the impact
of competitive products and pricing, new product development,
uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process, and other
risks detailed from time to time in the Company's ongoing quarterly and
annual reporting.
SOURCE Bioniche Life Sciences Inc.