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
August 2008
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: August 11, 2008 |
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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 N.W.
Calgary, Alberta
Canada T2N 1X7 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oncolytics Biotech Inc. Completes Dose Escalation in Combination
REOLYSIN®/Docetaxel Trial
CALGARY, AB, — August 11, 2008 - Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (“Oncolytics”) (TSX:ONC, NASDAQ:ONCY)
has completed patient enrolment in the dose escalation portion of its U.K. clinical trial to
evaluate the anti-tumour effects of systemic administration of REOLYSIN® in combination
with docetaxel (Taxotere®) in patients with advanced cancers including bladder,
prostate, lung and upper gastro-intestinal. The principal investigator is Professor Hardev Pandha
of the Royal Surrey Hospital, U.K.
The trial (REO 010) has two components. The first is an open-label, dose-escalating,
non-randomized study of REOLYSIN® given intravenously with docetaxel every three weeks.
Standard dosages of docetaxel were delivered to patients with escalating dosages of
REOLYSIN® intravenously. The second component of the trial includes the enrolment of
a further nine patients at the top dose of REOLYSIN® in combination with a standard
dosage of docetaxel.
“We have completed the dose escalation stage of the study,” said Prof. Pandha. “Patients enrolled
had previously undergone significant treatment with combination chemotherapy. The combination of
REOLYSIN® and taxotere was safe, well tolerated with no obvious toxicity related
specifically to REOLYSIN®. Efficacy of the combination was encouraging: both objective
anti-tumour responses and disease stabilization were observed radiologically.”
Eligible patients include those who have been diagnosed with advanced or metastatic solid tumours
including bladder, lung, prostate or upper gastro-intestinal cancers that are refractory (have not
responded) to standard therapy or for which no curative standard therapy exists. The primary
objective of the trial is to determine the Maximum Tolerated Dose (MTD), Dose-Limiting Toxicity
(DLT), recommended dose and dosing schedule and safety profile of REOLYSIN® when
administered in combination with docetaxel. Secondary objectives include the evaluation of immune
response to the drug combination, the body’s response to the drug combination compared to
chemotherapy alone and any evidence of anti-tumour activity.
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
For more information about docetaxel (taxotere®) please visit www.taxotere.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 Company’s
expectations related to the U.K. combination REOLYSIN®/paclitaxel and carboplatin
clinical trial 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 tolerability
of REOLYSIN® outside a controlled test, 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 and uncertainties related
to the regulatory process. 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
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The Investor Relations Group |
Cathy Ward
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Nick Hurst
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Erika Moran |
210, 1167 Kensington Cr NW
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325, 300 5th Ave. SW
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11 Stone St, 3rd Floor |
Calgary, Alberta T2N 1X7
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Calgary, AB, T2P 3C4
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New York, NY 10004 |
Tel: 403.670.7377
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Tel: 403.538.4845
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Tel: 212.825.3210 |
Fax: 403.283.0858
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Fax: 403.237.6916
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Fax: 212.825.3229 |
cathy.ward@oncolytics.ca
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nhurst@equicomgroup.com
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emoran@investorrelationsgroup.com |
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