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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, 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.

     
Form 20-F   o   Form 40-F   þ

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.

     
Yes   o   No   þ

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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Signatures

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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: August 23, 2006   By:   /s/ Brad Thompson
Brad Thompson
President and CEO

 

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Oncolytics Biotech Logo 210, 1167 Kensington Crescent NW
Calgary, Alberta
Canada T2N 1X7

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oncolytics Biotech Inc. Completes Patient Enrolment in
U.S. Phase I Systemic Administration Clinical Trial
CALGARY, AB, — August 23, 2006 – Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (“Oncolytics”) (TSX:ONC, NASDAQ:ONCY) is pleased to announce that it has completed patient enrolment in its Phase I U.S. clinical trial investigating the systemic delivery of REOLYSIN® to treat patients with advanced cancers. A total of 18 patients were treated in the Phase I trial with REOLYSIN® at escalating dosages of 1x108, 3x108, 1x109, 3x109, 1x1010 or 3x1010 TCID50. A maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was not reached and the treatment appears to have been well tolerated by the patients.
The clinical trial is an open-label, dose-escalation Phase I study in which a single dose of REOLYSIN® was administered intravenously to patients diagnosed with selected advanced or metastatic solid tumours that are refractory (have not responded) to standard therapy or for which no curative standard therapy exists. The primary objective of the study is to determine the MTD, dose limiting toxicity and safety profile of REOLYSIN®. Secondary objectives include the evaluation of viral replication, immune response to the virus and any evidence of anti-tumour activity.
The principal investigator for the trial is Dr. Sanjay Goel, Assistant Professor and Attending Physician in the Department of Medical Oncology, Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City.
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 and Phase I/II human trials using REOLYSIN®, its proprietary formulation of the human reovirus, alone and in combination with radiation. 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 expectations related to the Phase I U.S. systemic administration 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 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:

         
Oncolytics Biotech Inc.   The Equicom Group   The Investor Relations Group
Cathy Ward   Nick Hurst   Damian McIntosh
210, 1167 Kensington Cr NW   20 Toronto Street   11 Stone Street, 3rd Floor
Calgary, Alberta T2N 1X7   Toronto, Ontario M5C 2B8   New York, NY 10004
Tel: 403.670.7377   Tel: 416.815.0700 ext. 226   Tel: 212.825.3210
Fax: 403.283.0858   Fax: 416.815.0080   Fax: 212.825.3229
cathy.ward@oncolytics.ca   nhurst@equicomgroup.com   dmcintosh@investorrelationsgroup.com
www.oncolyticsbiotech.com        

 

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