BELLEVILLE, Ontario, May 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. , a research-based, technology-driven Canadian biopharmaceutical company, announced that it has presented data to the American Urological Association 2007 Annual Congress (Anaheim, California, May 19-24, 2007) on the direct anticancer activity of its proprietary Mycobacterial Cell Wall-DNA Complex technology (MCC).
The study was conducted by the Therapeutics Division of Bioniche. It determined the anticancer activity of MCC and bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) against bladder cancer cell lines derived from low- and high-grade bladder cancer using treatment times typical of optimal residence in the bladder following intravesical administration (3 hours).
Dr. Nigel C. Phillips, Senior Vice-President, Scientific Affairs and Chief Scientific Officer at Bioniche Life Sciences Inc, showed that: a) the activity of MCC against all human bladder cancer cell lines studied was comparable; and b) a treatment time of 3 hours was sufficient for the expression of anticancer activity. In contrast, BCG, an immunotherapeutic containing live mycobacteria that is currently used as a treatment for non muscle-invasive bladder cancer, had variable activity against the human bladder cancer cell lines studied and, in contrast to MCC, required prolonged treatment times (48-144 hours) for the expression of anticancer activity.
About MCC
MCC is a sterile mycobacterial cell wall composition that has a dual mode of action - immune stimulation and direct anticancer activity. It is formulated as Urocidin(TM) for the treatment of bladder cancer, and is undergoing clinical evaluation in patients with non muscle-invasive, high- grade bladder cancer. Its activity is being initially determined in patients with high-grade bladder cancer refractory to standard care (BCG) where it has received FDA fast-track status, and will be further evaluated in treatment- naive patients. MCC is administered by the intravesical route directly into the bladder, where it comes into contact with immune system cells and bladder cancer cells. MCC is currently undergoing preclinical evaluation as a treatment for peritoneal carcinomatosis associated with colon and ovarian cancer.
About Non Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer
Non muscle-invasive, high-grade bladder cancer is treated by a combination of surgery (to remove papillary tumours) and intravesical drug therapy (to treat non-operable carcinoma in situ and to prevent recurrence of papillary tumours). Intravesical therapy of bladder cancer is conventionally carried out using an induction phase (typically once weekly for 6 weeks) following surgery, followed by a maintenance phase lasting for up to several years.
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 Corporate Communications & Investor Relations Manager Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. Telephone: (613) 966-8058 ext. 1250 Cell: (613) 391-2097 Jennifer.Shea@Bioniche.com
Bioniche Life Sciences Inc.
CONTACT: Jennifer Shea, Corporate Communications & Investor RelationsManager, Bioniche Life Sciences Inc., +1-613-966-8058, ext. 1250, or Cell,+1-613-391-2097, Jennifer.Shea@Bioniche.com
Web site: http://www.bioniche.com/