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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 October

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.

     
Form 20-F   o   Form 40-F   þ

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.

     
Yes   o   No   þ

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.

         
    Oncolytics Biotech Inc.
(Registrant)
 
         
 
Date: October 20, 2005   By:   /s/ Brad Thompson
Brad Thompson
President and CEO

 

 

Oncolytics Biotech Logo 210, 1167 Kensington Crescent NW
Calgary, Alberta
Canada T2N 1X7

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oncolytics Biotech Inc. Announces Issuance of Third Canadian Patent
– Therapeutic Use of the Reovirus to Treat Cancers –
CALGARY, AB — October 20, 2005 – Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (TSX: ONC, NASDAQ: ONCY) (“Oncolytics”) has been granted Canadian Patent 2,283,280 entitled “Reovirus for the treatment of neoplasia.” The claims describe the use of a reovirus for the manufacture of a medicament to treat Ras-mediated neoplasia as well as methods of treating various cancers by the administration of the reovirus.
“The claims in Oncolytics’ third Canadian patent provide additional coverage for the use of the reovirus in treating cancers,” said Dr. Matt Coffey, Chief Scientific Officer for Oncolytics. “This patent further broadens our patent coverage in Canada.”
About Oncolytics Biotech Inc.
Oncolytics is a Calgary-based biotechnology company focused on the development of REOLYSIN®, its proprietary formulation of the human reovirus, as a potential cancer therapeutic. Oncolytics’ researchers have demonstrated that the reovirus is able to selectively kill cancer cells and, in vitro, kill human cancer cells that are derived from many types of cancer including breast, prostate, pancreatic, bladder and brain tumours, and have also demonstrated successful cancer treatment results in a number of animal models. Phase I clinical trial results have indicated that REOLYSIN® was well tolerated and that the reovirus demonstrated activity in tumours injected with REOLYSIN®. Oncolytics has developed a strategy to pursue the licensing of its Canadian patents for research, development and commercial activities. Oncolytics has established a form and terms for licenses with individuals and institutions wishing to conduct academic research and will be negotiating appropriate licenses with individuals, institutions and companies involved in other activities in Canada.
This news release contains forward looking statements, within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward looking statements, including among others, the Company’s belief as to the importance of the issuance of this patent, the safety and efficacy of the reovirus, the Company’s expectations as to the potential applications of the patented technology and other statements relating to anticipated developments in the Company’s business and technologies, involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that 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 efficacy of REOLYSIN® as a cancer treatment, the success and timely completion of clinical studies and trials, uncertainties related to the research and development of pharmaceuticals, uncertainties related to the regulatory process and general changes to the economic environment. 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:

     
Oncolytics Biotech Inc.   The Equicom Group
Dr. Matt Coffey   Joanna Longo
210, 1167 Kensington Cr NW   20 Toronto Street
Calgary, Alberta T2N 1X7   Toronto, Ontario M5C 2B8
Tel: 403.670.7377   Tel: 416.815.0700 ext. 233
Fax: 403.283.0858   Fax: 416.815.0080
www.oncolyticsbiotech.com   jlongo@equicomgroup.com
     
The Investor Relations Group   RenMark Financial Communications
John Nesbett or Damian McIntosh   John Boidman
11 Stone Street, 3rd Floor   2080 Rene Levesque Blvd. W.
New York, NY 10004   Montreal, PQ H3H 1R6
Tel: 212.825.3210   Tel: 514.939.3989
Fax: 212.825.3229   Fax: 514.939.3717
dmcintosh@investorrelationsgroup.com   jboidman@renmarkfinancial.com

 

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