CALGARY, June 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Oncolytics Biotech Inc. ("Oncolytics") is pleased to announce that it has completed patient enrolment in the dose escalation portion of its U.K. Phase I systemic administration clinical trial investigating the use of REOLYSIN(R) to treat patients with advanced cancers. A total of 30 patients were treated in the trial at escalating frequency and dosage to a maximum daily dose of 1x10(11) TCID(50). A maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was not reached and the treatment appears to have been well tolerated by the patients.
Interim results of the trial, which were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting on June 4, 2006 in Atlanta, Georgia, indicated that REOLYSIN(R) can be delivered systemically to various tumour types and cause virus-mediated tumour responses.
The primary objective of the Phase I trial is to determine the MTD, dose limiting toxicity (DLT), and safety profile of REOLYSIN(R) when administered systemically to patients. A secondary objective is to examine any evidence of anti-tumour activity. Eligible patients include those who had been diagnosed with advanced or metastatic solid tumours that are refractory (have not responded) to standard therapy or for which no curative standard therapy exists. The principal investigator for the study is Dr. Johann de Bono of the The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and The Institute of Cancer Research, London.
About Oncolytics Biotech Inc.
Oncolytics is a Calgary-based biotechnology company focused on the development of oncolytic viruses as potential cancer therapeutics. Oncolytics' clinical program includes a variety of Phase I and Phase I/II human trials using REOLYSIN(R), its proprietary formulation of the human reovirus, alone and in combination with radiation. For further information about Oncolytics, please visit www.oncolyticsbiotech.com
This press release contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements, including the Company's expectations related to the results of the Phase I UK Systemic Administration clinical trial investigating delivery of REOLYSIN(R) for advanced cancers, and the Company's belief as to the potential of REOLYSIN(R) as a cancer therapeutic, involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the availability of funds and resources to pursue research and development projects, the efficacy of REOLYSIN(R) as a cancer treatment, the success and timely completion of clinical studies and trials, the Company's ability to successfully commercialize REOLYSIN(R), uncertainties related to the research and development of pharmaceuticals and uncertainties related to the regulatory process. Investors should consult the Company's quarterly and annual filings with the Canadian and U.S. securities commissions for additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to the forward looking statements. Investors are cautioned against placing undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update these forward-looking statements.
Oncolytics Biotech Inc.CONTACT: Oncolytics Biotech Inc.: Cathy Ward, 210, 1167 Kensington Cr NW,Calgary, Alberta T2N 1X7, Tel: (403) 670-7377, Fax: (403) 283-0858,cathy.ward@oncolytics.ca; The Equicom Group: Nick Hurst, 20 Toronto Street,Toronto, Ontario M5C 2B8, Tel: (416) 815-0700 ext.226, Fax: (416) 815-0080,nhurst@equicomgroup.com; The Investor Relations Group: Damian McIntosh, 11Stone St, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10004, Tel: (212) 825-3210, Fax: (212)825-3229, dmcintosh@investorrelationsgroup.com; RenMark FinancialCommunications: John Boidman, 2080 Rene Levesque Blvd. W., Montreal, PQ H3H1R6, Tel: (514) 939-3989, Fax: (514) 939-3717,jboidman@renmarkfinancial.com
