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 June 2003
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 þ | Form 40-F o |
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):
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):
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-
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) |
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| Date June 6, 2003 | By: | /s/ Douglas A. Ball Douglas A. Ball Chief Financial Officer |
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![[Oncolytics Logo]](o10096o1009601.gif) |
210, 1167 Kensington Crescent NW Calgary, Alberta Canada T2N 1X7 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oncolytics Biotech Inc. Sells Its Shareholdings
In Transition Therapeutics
CALGARY, Alberta, June 6, 2003 — Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (TSX: ONC, NASDAQ: ONCY) (“Oncolytics”) announced today that it has sold all of its 6.89 million common shares in the capital of Transition Therapeutics Inc. (TSVX: TTH) (“Transition”) for net proceeds of $2,552,745. The shares were sold by Oncolytics in a private transaction with various investors.
“The sale of this asset provides additional operating capital for Oncolytics,” said Dr. Brad Thompson, Oncolytics’ President and CEO. “We will put these resources toward the continued development of REOLYSIN® and other appropriate opportunities within the viral oncology area.”
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 human cancer cells in vitro 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 news 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: applying its resources toward opportunities in the viral oncology area, the Company’s expectations as to the safety and efficacy of REOLYSIN® including application by systemic delivery and; the Company’s expectations as to the design, timing and success of its planned clinical trial programs, involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that 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 success and timely completion of clinical studies and trials, 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:
| For Canada: Oncolytics Biotech Inc. Brad Thompson, Ph.D. 210, 1167 Kensington Cr NW Calgary, Alberta T2N 1X7 Tel: 403.670.7377 Fax: 403.283.0858 info@oncolyticsbiotech.com |
For Canada: The Equicom Group Inc. Joanna Longo 20 Toronto Street Toronto, Ontario M5C 2B8 Tel: 416.815.0700 ext. 233 Fax: 416.815.0080 jlongo@equicomgroup.com |
For United States: The Investor Relations Group Gino De Jesus or Dian Griesel, Ph.D. 11 Stone Street, 3rd Floor New York, NY 10004 Tel: 212.825.3210 Fax: 212.825.3229 theproteam@aol.com |