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 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 -
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210, 1167 Kensington Crescent N.W.
Calgary, Alberta
Canada T2N 1X7 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oncolytics Biotech Inc. Announces Journal of Immunology Publication on
Reovirus Activation of Dendritic Cells
CALGARY, AB, April 23, 2008 Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (Oncolytics) (TSX:ONC, NASDAQ:ONCY)
announced today that Prof. Alan Melcher and his research group at St. Jamess University Hospital
in Leeds, U.K. published the results of their work with reovirus in the May 1, 2008 online issue of
The Journal of Immunology. The paper is entitled Reovirus Activates Human Dendritic Cells to
Promote Innate Antitumor Immunity.
The researchers studied the ability of reovirus to activate human dendritic cells (DC), key
regulators of both innate and adaptive immune responses. The data demonstrated that reovirus
directly activates human DC, which in turn stimulate innate killing of cancer cells by natural
killer (NK) and T cells, suggesting a novel potential role for T cells in oncolytic virus-induced
local tumor cell death. Combined with the viruss ability to directly kill cancer cells, the
researchers concluded that reovirus recognition by DC may enhance the efficacy of reovirus as a
therapeutic agent.
This research provides additional insight into how reovirus interacts with the immune system, and
expands our understanding of its multiple roles in the killing of cancer cells, said Dr. Matt
Coffey, Chief Scientific Officer of Oncolytics.
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
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 published in The Journal of Immunology 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:
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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, Alberta 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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