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
March 2007
Commission File Number 000-31062
Oncolytics Biotech Inc.
(Translation of registrants 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 registrants home country), or under the rules of the home
country exchange on which the registrants 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 registrants 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 -
|
210, 1167 Kensington Crescent NW
Calgary, Alberta
Canada T2N 1X7 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oncolytics Biotech Inc. Research Collaborators to Present Reovirus Treatment in
Melanoma Animal Models at International Oncolytic Virus Conference
CALGARY, AB, March 16, 2007 Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (Oncolytics) (TSX:ONC, NASDAQ:ONCY)
announces that Dr. Alan Melcher of St. Jamess University Hospital in Leeds, U.K. is scheduled to
present a poster today entitled Inflammatory Tumour Cell Killing by Oncolytic Reovirus for the
Treatment of Melanoma at the 4th International Conference on Oncolytic Viruses as
Cancer Therapeutics in Carefree, Arizona. The conference runs from March 14 through 17, 2007.
The results of the preclinical study showed that the reovirus effectively replicated in and killed
a range of human melanomas in vitro, and intratumoural injection of reovirus significantly delayed
tumour growth in a mouse implanted with a human melanoma tumour. In addition, the melanoma cell
death caused by reovirus also triggered an immune response which led to additional anti-tumour
activity.
The investigators concluded that the reovirus is a promising agent for the treatment of melanoma,
causing an inflammatory cell death that is potentially immunogenic as well as directly cytotoxic.
This latest study is one of several that indicate there is a relationship between the reovirus and
the immune system, said Dr. Matt Coffey, Chief Scientific Officer of Oncolytics. Recording immune
system effects on cancer following reovirus infection continues to be an important objective in our
ongoing clinical program for REOLYSIN®.
The research will be posted on the Oncolytics website at www.oncolyticbiotech.com as soon
as it is available.
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®, 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®, the
Companys expectations related to the results of trials investigating delivery of
REOLYSIN®, and the Companys belief as to the potential of REOLYSIN® as a
cancer therapeutic, involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause the
Companys 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
success and timely completion of clinical studies and trials, the Companys 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
Companys 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
|
|
The Investor Relations Group |
Cathy Ward
|
|
Nick Hurst
|
|
Erika Moran |
210, 1167 Kensington Cr NW
|
|
600, 205 5th Ave. SW
|
|
11 Stone St, 3rd Floor |
Calgary, Alberta T2N 1X7
|
|
Calgary, Alberta T2P 2V7
|
|
New York, NY 10004 |
Tel: 403.670.7377
|
|
Tel: 403.538.4845
|
|
Tel: 212.825.3210 |
Fax: 403.283.0858
|
|
Fax: 403.266.2453
|
|
Fax: 212.825.3229 |
cathy.ward@oncolytics.ca
|
|
nhurst@equicomgroup.com
|
|
emoran@investorrelationsgroup.com |
-30-