Form 6-K
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 January,
2006
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 January 18, 2006 |
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By: |
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/s/ Doug Ball
Doug Ball
Chief Financial Officer |
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210, 1167 Kensington Crescent NW
Calgary, Alberta
Canada T2N 1X7 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oncolytics Biotech Inc. Announces Commencement of Solicitation Process for Clinical Trials
Sponsored by the U.S. National Cancer Institute
CALGARY,
AB, — January 18, 2006 — Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (“Oncolytics”) (TSX:ONC, NASDAQ:ONCY)
announced today that the Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (CTEP), part of the U.S. National Cancer
Institute (“NCI”), has issued a solicitation for Letters of Intent with respect to the conduct of
two human clinical trials using REOLYSIN®, a proprietary formulation of the human reovirus being
developed as a potential cancer therapeutic.
CTEP is soliciting proposals for a Phase II study of REOLYSIN® administered systemically in
patients with melanoma. The dosage and dosing regimen to be used in the study will be determined
based on data derived from ongoing U.K. and U.S. Phase I systemic administration studies being
conducted by Oncolytics.
CTEP is also soliciting proposals for a Phase I/II study of REOLYSIN® co-administered both
systemically and intraperitoneally (IP) in patients with ovarian cancer. The purpose of the Phase I
portion of the trial is to determine the Maximum Tolerated Dose (MTD) of REOLYSIN® given by IP
administration in combination with a constant systemic dose and dosing regimen.
Oncolytics will provide REOLYSINâ for all clinical trials conducted and sponsored by the NCI
under a Clinical Trials Agreement (CTA). The NCI initially approved REOLYSIN® for collaborative
development after an analysis of preclinical, GLP toxicology and clinical data. Since the CTA was
approved, Oncolytics and the NCI have worked together to select cancer indications and suitable
development programs.
About the National Cancer Institute
The National Cancer Institute is an agency of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), one of eight
agencies that compose the Public Health Service (PHS) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services (DHHS). The NCI, established under the National Cancer Act of 1937, is the U.S. Federal
Government’s principal agency for cancer research and training.
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,
bladder, prostate, pancreatic and brain tumours, and have also demonstrated successful cancer
treatment results in a number of animal models. Previous Phase I clinical trial results have
indicated that REOLYSIN® was well tolerated and that the reovirus demonstrated activity in tumours
injected with REOLYSIN®.
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 success and benefits of the collaboration with the NCI,
progress in the clinical trial program 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 efficacy of REOLYSIN® as a cancer treatment, the
continued sponsorship by the NCI of the clinical trials, 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, uncertainties related to
the regulatory process, the availability of resources and funding to complete the Company’s
research and development efforts 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:
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| Oncolytics Biotech Inc. |
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The Equicom Group |
| Matt Coffey |
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Nick Hurst |
| 210, 1167 Kensington Cr NW |
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20 Toronto Street |
| Calgary, Alberta T2N 1X7 |
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Toronto, Ontario M5C 2B8 |
| Tel: 403.670.7377 |
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Tel: 416.815.0700 ext. 226 |
| Fax: 403.283.0858 |
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Fax: 416.815.0080 |
| www.oncolyticsbiotech.com |
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nhurst@equicomgroup.com |
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| The Investor Relations Group |
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RenMark Financial Communications |
| John Nesbett or Janet Vasquez |
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John Boidman |
| 11 Stone St, 3rd Floor |
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2080 Rene Levesque Blvd. W. |
| New York, NY 10004 |
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Montreal, PQ H3H 1R6 |
| Tel: 212.825.3210 |
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Tel: 514.939.3989 |
| Fax: 212.825.3229 |
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Fax: 514.939.3717 |
| jnesbett@investorrelationsgroup.com |
|
jboidman@renmarkfinancial.com |
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