CALGARY, May 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (TSX:ONC, NASDAQ:ONCY) ("Oncolytics" or the "Company") today announced its financial results and operational highlights for the quarter ended March 31, 2012.

"In early April, 2012, we announced that we had completed enrollment in the first, 80-patient stage of our Phase III trial in head and neck cancers.  The analysis of this patient group will be a significant milestone," said Dr. Brad Thompson, President and CEO of Oncolytics. "We've also significantly expanded our Phase II program through agreements with the NCIC which allow us to conduct randomized clinical studies in both prostate and colorectal cancers."

Selected Highlights

Since January 1, 2012, the Company has made a number of significant announcements:

Clinical Trial Program

• Completion of enrollment in the first, 80-patient stage of its Phase III clinical trial examining REOLYSIN^® in combination with paclitaxel and carboplatin in patients with platinum-refractory head and neck cancers (REO 018);
  
  
• Entry into an agreement whereby the NCIC Clinical Trials Group (CTG) at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, will sponsor and conduct a randomized Phase II study of REOLYSIN in patients with recurrent or metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer enrolling up to 80 patients;
  
  
• Entry into an agreement whereby the NCIC CTG at Queen's University will sponsor and conduct a randomized Phase II study of REOLYSIN in patients with advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer enrolling up to 100 patients;

Preclinical Program

• Presentation of five posters covering preclinical research in a range of cancer types at the 2012 AACR Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL; and

Financial

• Closed bought deal financing, which was increased post-announcement from $15 million to $18.5 million, for gross proceeds of $21.3 million following the full exercise of the over-allotment option by the syndicate of underwriters.

ONCOLYTICS BIOTECH INC.
INTERM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
(unaudited)

ONCOLYTICS BIOTECH INC.
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF LOSS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(unaudited)

ONCOLYTICS BIOTECH INC.
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
(unaudited)

ONCOLYTICS BIOTECH INC.
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)

To view the Company's First Quarter 2012 Consolidated Financial Statements, related Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, and Management's Discussion and Analysis, please see the Company's quarterly filings which will be available on www.sedar.com and on www.oncolyticsbiotech.com. 

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 human trials including a Phase III trial in head and neck cancers using REOLYSIN, its proprietary formulation of the human reovirus. 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 Company's belief as to the potential of REOLYSIN as a cancer therapeutic; the Company's expectations as to the success of its research and development programs in 2012 and beyond, the Company's planned operations, the value of the additional patents and intellectual property; the Company's expectations related to the applications of the patented technology; the Company's expectations as to adequacy of its existing capital resources; the design, timing, success of planned clinical trial programs; and other statements related to anticipated developments in the Company's business and technologies 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, except as required by applicable laws.

SOURCE Oncolytics Biotech Inc.