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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

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 May 2004

Commission File Number 000-31062

Oncolytics Biotech Inc.

Suite 210, 1167 Kensington Crescent NW
Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1X7

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 -                               

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Signatures
NEWS RELEASE

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Table of Contents

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 May 26, 2004	By:	/s/ Douglas A. Ball
		Douglas A. Ball
		Chief Financial Officer

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Oncolytics Biotech Starts Patient Treatment in UK Phase I Cancer Trial
Investigating Systemic Delivery of REOLYSIN®

CALGARY, AB, — May 26, 2004 - Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (“Oncolytics”) (TSX:ONC, NASDAQ:ONCY) announced today that it has started patient treatment in its UK Phase I clinical trial investigating the systemic delivery of REOLYSIN® as a treatment for patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumours.

This clinical trial is an open-label, dose-escalation Phase I study in which REOLYSIN® will be administered intravenously to patients diagnosed with advanced or metastatic solid tumours that are refractory to standard therapy (has not responded) or for which no curative standard therapy exists. The primary objective of the study is to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), dose limiting toxicity (DLT) and safety profile of REOLYSIN®. Secondary objectives include the evaluation of viral replication, immune response to the virus and any evidence of antitumour activity. The enrolment in this study is expected to be up to forty evaluable patients and will depend upon the number of dose levels tested. The principal investigator for the study is Dr. J. de Bono of the Royal Marsden Hospital.

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 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®.

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 results of the UK Phase I trial investigating systemic delivery of REOLYSIN® 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 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 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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