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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.
20549
Form 6-K
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of April 2008
Commission File Number 000-31062
Oncolytics Biotech Inc.
(Translation of registrant’s name into
English)
Suite 210, 1167 Kensington Crescent NW
Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1X7
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as
permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): o
Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1) only permits the submission in paper of a
Form 6-K if submitted solely to provide an attached annual report to security
holders.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as
permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): o
Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7) only permits the submission in paper of a
Form 6-K if submitted to furnish a report or other document that the registrant
foreign private issuer must furnish and make public under the laws of the
jurisdiction in which the registrant is incorporated, domiciled or legally
organized (the registrant’s “home country”), or under the rules of the home
country exchange on which the registrant’s securities are traded, as long as
the report or other document is not a press release, is not required to be and
has not been distributed to the registrant’s security holders, and, if
discussing a material event, has already been the subject of a Form 6-K
submission or other Commission filing on EDGAR.
Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this
Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934.
If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant
in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82 -
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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Oncolytics
Biotech Inc.
(Registrant) |
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| Date: April 14, 2008 |
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By: |
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/s/ Doug Ball
Doug Ball
Chief Financial Officer |
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210, 1167 Kensington Cr. N.W.
Calgary, Alberta
Canada T2N 1X7 |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oncolytics Biotech Inc. Completes Dose Escalation in Combination
REOLYSIN®/Paclitaxel and Carboplatin Trial
CALGARY, AB, — April 14, 2008 - Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (“Oncolytics”) (TSX:ONC, NASDAQ:ONCY) has
completed patient enrolment in the dose escalation portion of its U.K. clinical trial to evaluate
the anti-tumour effects of systemic administration of REOLYSIN® in combination with
paclitaxel and carboplatin in patients with advanced cancers including head and neck, melanoma,
lung and ovarian.
“The preliminary results from this combination trial are very encouraging,” said Dr. Brad Thompson,
President and CEO of Oncolytics. “This study was the first to begin examining the use of
REOLYSIN® with drug combinations that are used in first or second line therapy.”
The principal investigators are Dr. Kevin Harrington of The Institute of Cancer Research and The
Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, and Dr. Geoff Hall of St. James’s Hospital in Leeds, U.K.
The trial (REO 011) has two components. The first is an open-label, dose-escalating,
non-randomized study of REOLYSIN® given intravenously with paclitaxel and carboplatin
every three weeks. Standard dosages of paclitaxel and carboplatin were delivered to patients with
escalating dosages of REOLYSIN® intravenously. The second component of the trial
includes the enrolment of a further 12 patients at the maximum dosage of REOLYSIN® in
combination with a standard dosage of paclitaxel and carboplatin.
Eligible patients include those who have been diagnosed with advanced or metastatic solid tumours
such as head and neck, melanoma, lung and ovarian cancers that are refractory (have not responded)
to standard therapy or for which no curative standard therapy exists. The primary objective of the
trial is to determine the Maximum Tolerated Dose (MTD), Dose-Limiting Toxicity (DLT), recommended
dose and dosing schedule and safety profile of REOLYSIN® when administered in
combination with paclitaxel and carboplatin. Secondary objectives include the evaluation of immune
response to the drug combination, the body’s response to the drug combination compared to
chemotherapy alone and any evidence of anti-tumour activity.
In the U.K. and the U.S., approximately 350,000 people are diagnosed annually with head & neck,
melanoma, lung and ovarian cancers.
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/II
and Phase II human trials using REOLYSIN®, 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.
For more information about paclitaxel and carboplatin, please visit www.bms.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 U.K. combination REOLYSIN®/paclitaxel and carboplatin
clinical trial and the Company’s belief as to the potential of
REOLYSIN® 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® as a cancer treatment, the tolerability
of
REOLYSIN® outside a controlled test, the success and timely completion of clinical
studies and trials, the Company’s ability to successfully commercialize REOLYSIN®,
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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
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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
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The Equicom Group
Nick Hurst
325, 300 5th Ave. SW
Calgary, AB, T2P 3C4
Tel: 403.538.4845
Fax: 403.237.6916
nhurst@equicomgroup.com
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The Investor Relations Group
Erika Moran
11 Stone St, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10004
Tel: 212.825.3210
Fax: 212.825.3229
emoran@investorrelationsgroup.com |
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