CALGARY, March 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Oncolytics Biotech Inc. ("Oncolytics") announced today that Dr. Richard Vile of the Mayo College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota delivered an oral presentation at the 4th International Conference on Oncolytic Viruses as Cancer Therapeutics in Carefree, Arizona on Saturday, March 17 covering a study of systemic administration of reovirus in combination with cyclophosphamide, an immune modulator. The conference was held from March 14 through 17, 2007.
The work demonstrated that systemic administration of reovirus in combination with cyclophosphamide enhanced tumour regression in a melanoma animal model without increasing toxicity. In addition, the investigators were able to demonstrate that the addition of cyclophosphamide significantly increased the amount of reovirus replicating within the tumour.
The investigators concluded that the addition of cyclophosphamide may lead to improved efficacy of REOLYSIN(R) treatment.
"Our ongoing clinical trials are examining REOLYSIN(R) in combination with gemcitabine, paclitaxel/carboplatin and docetaxel," said Dr. Matt Coffey, Chief Scientific Officer of Oncolytics. "These new results are remarkable. This promising preclinical work confirms Oncolytics' commitment to continuing to investigate moving REOLYSIN(R) and other existing chemotherapies into human clinical trials."
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 II human trials using REOLYSIN(R), its proprietary formulation of the human reovirus, alone and in combination with radiation or chemotherapy. 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 implication of the materials presented at this conference with respect to REOLYSIN(R), the Company's expectations related to the results of trials investigating delivery of REOLYSIN(R), 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, 600, 205 5th Ave.SW, Calgary, Alberta, T2P 2V7, Tel: (403) 538-4845, Fax: (403) 266-2453,nhurst@equicomgroup.com; The Investor Relations Group, Erika Moran, 11Stone St, 3rd Floor, New York, NY, 10004, Tel: (212) 825-3210, Fax: (212)825-3229, emoran@investorrelationsgroup.com
