BELLEVILLE, Ontario, May 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. , a research-based, technology-driven Canadian biopharmaceutical company, presented data showing that repeated intraperitoneal administration of the Company's proprietary Mycobacterial Cell Wall-DNA Complex (MCC) is well tolerated and results in significant anticancer activity against peritoneal colon carcinomatosis in rats. The data was presented at the Cambridge Healthtech Institute's Fifth International World Pharmaceutical Congress, being held this week in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
The preclinical evaluation study of the tolerability and the anticancer activity of MCC suspension after intraperitoneal administration using a rat peritoneal DHD/K12/PROb colon carcinomatosis model was presented by Mario C. Filion, Ph.D., Head of Biomedical Research at Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. Preliminary data from this study, suggesting a possible anticancer activity of MCC suspension against peritoneal colon cancer, was previously reported last year at the 7th World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer in Barcelona, Spain (June, 2005). The new and updated data presented today evaluating the survival efficacy of MCC suspension for a period of 12 months in animals with peritoneal colon cancer confirm and demonstrate a marked anticancer activity of MCC suspension in this model. Intraperitoneal administration of MCC suspension was well tolerated. At 12 months, only 10% of untreated control rats were still alive, while 70% of rats were still alive after nine intraperitoneal administrations of 0.625 mg MCC suspension. Comparable anticancer activity was seen at higher doses (1.25 and 2.5 mg).
"This study demonstrates that MCC suspension has a remarkably long duration of anticancer activity in rats having experimental colon metastases in the peritoneum," said Dr. Nigel C. Phillips, Senior Vice-President of Scientific Affairs and Chief Scientific Officer at Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. "Treatment options for therapeutic management of tumors presented in the peritoneal cavity are currently limited. There is an opportunity for using MCC suspension for treatment of patients with peritoneal metastasis from colorectal cancer. This is of particular interest given the high rate of colon cancer in developed countries."
Mr. Graeme McRae, President & CEO of Bioniche Life Sciences Inc., added, "These preclinical data are very encouraging and confirm the broad anticancer activity of MCC suspension. This product, trademarked Urocidin, is currently under evaluation as an intravesical treatment of urinary bladder cancer. Bioniche recently received FDA approval to proceed with two multi-centre Phase III clinical trials using Urocidin in the treatment of patients with non muscle invasive bladder cancer." One of these trials involves patients who are refractory to the current standard therapy -- BCG. The FDA granted Fast Track designation for Urocidin for the treatment of this patient population earlier this month. The second Phase III trial is a randomized, double-blind multi- centre trial comparing Urocidin to BCG as first-line therapy in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer at high risk of recurrence or progression.
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 products for human and animal health markets worldwide. The fully-integrated company employs approximately 185 skilled personnel and has three principal operating divisions: Human Health, Animal Health, and Food Safety. The Company's primary goal is to develop proprietary cancer therapies supported by revenues from marketed products in human and animal health. For more information, please visit http://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.
For further information, please contact: Jennifer Shea Manager of Corporate Communications & Investor Relations Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. Telephone: (613) 966-8058 ext. 1250 Cell: (613) 391-2097
Bioniche Life Sciences Inc.CONTACT: Jennifer Shea, Manager of Corporate Communications & InvestorRelations of Bioniche Life Sciences Inc., +1-613-966-8058 ext. 1250, Cell:+1-613-391-2097
Web site: http://www.Bioniche.com/
