BELLEVILLE, ON, Dec. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. , a research-based, technology-driven Canadian biopharmaceutical company, today announced that it has been recognized as one of Canada's Top 10 Life Sciences Companies for 2008. Bioniche was chosen by a group of distinguished venture capital investors based on the Company's attractiveness as an exceptional investment in Canada.
"We are honoured to have received this award," said Mr. Graeme McRae, President & CEO of Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. "It recognizes the significant achievements made by our company in the last year, including the initiation of our Phase III clinical trial with our proprietary Mycobacterial Cell Wall-DNA Complex (MCC) in human bladder cancer and the authorization of our E. coli O157:H7 food safety cattle vaccine for Canadian distribution, followed by preliminary sales of this important food safety product."
Winners of the Top 10 Competition are chosen by an independent expert panel of Canadian and U.S. venture capitalists. Originally developed to promote the 10 most promising life science companies from across Canada to Canadian and international investors and partners, the competition has now expanded to showcase Canada's cleantech and technology sectors. Winning companies, working in partnership with Canadian Consulates in Boston, New York City, San Diego and San Francisco, participate in targeted investment forums in each city, providing them with an opportunity to meet with venture capital investors who have expressed an active interest in financing these companies.
In March of this year, Bioniche was recognized with a Genesis Award from the Quebec biotechnology, health technology and life science industry. The "Transfer-Emergence" award was presented to the Company as part of the BIOMEDEX 2007 convention-exhibition.
In September, the Company's E. coli O157:H7 cattle vaccine was recognized internationally as the best new veterinary product for livestock as part of the Animal Pharm Industry Excellence Awards '07. The "best new veterinary product for livestock" award recognizes excellence in pharmaceutical or vaccine development for production animals. In this category, the 12-member panel of independent industry judges looked for the product that represented the greatest therapeutic, prophylactic, or production advance.
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 195 skilled personnel and has three 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 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.
CONTACT: Jennifer Shea, Corporate Communications & Investor Relations
Manager, Bioniche Life Sciences Inc., Telephone: (613) 966-8058 ext. 1250,
Cell: (613) 391-2097, Jennifer.Shea@Bioniche.com