Oncolytics Biotech® Reports 2018 Second Quarter Results

CALGARY, Alberta and SAN DIEGO, Aug. 03, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Oncolytics Biotech® Inc. (Nasdaq: ONCY) (TSX: ONC), currently developing REOLYSIN® (pelareorep), an intravenously delivered immuno-oncolytic virus turning cold tumors hot, today announced financial results and operational highlights for the quarter ended June 30, 2018.  All dollar amounts are Canadian unless otherwise noted.

“The second quarter began with clinical updates at three scientific conferences and an agreement with the FDA for our Special Protocol Assessment, followed by the announcements of two combination studies with Merck’s Keytruda and culminated in the company’s relisting on Nasdaq,” said Dr. Matt Coffey, President and CEO of Oncolytics Biotech.  “The immuno-oncology data we have presented at recent conferences, as well as the data we expect from recently announced studies supports the potential for combination with checkpoint inhibitors and other immunotherapy and anticancer agents as we broaden our pipeline to demonstrate the ultimate value of pelareorep.  Our Nasdaq listing has already raised our profile with institutional investors focusing on biotech and we hope to see additional analyst coverage out of the U.S.”

Selected highlights since April 1, 2018

Clinical Updates

  • Reached agreement with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) for the protocol design, clinical endpoints and statistical analysis approach for the company’s phase 3 study evaluating pelareorep for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.
  • Announced two combination studies with Merck’s Keytruda®:
    • Investigating pelareorep in combination with Keytruda to treat second line pancreatic cancer patients. The study, run by Dr. Devalingham Mahalingam, will plan to enroll approximately 40 patients with advanced pancreatic cancer and will be conducted at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University.
    • Investigating pelareorep in combination with Keytruda, Velcade® and dexamethasone to treat multiple myeloma patients. The study, facilitated by Dr. Kevin Kelly, Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine, will be conducted at the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center. 
  • Presented poster highlights from pelareorep studies at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2018 Annual Meeting. The presentation demonstrated that pelareorep promotes the expression of gene signatures predictive of a response to immunotherapy in breast cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma and that the tumor inflammation promoting effects in breast cancer models provide a compelling explanation for the significant overall survival benefit in hormone receptor positive metastatic breast cancer patients in the phase 2, IND 213, study.
  • Presented posters highlighting data from pelareorep studies at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2018. The presentations showed preclinical models demonstrating pelareorep increased PD-L1 expression in microsatellite stable (MSS) colorectal cancer cells (CRC) and demonstrated efficacy for pelareorep and anti-PD1 agent combination.
  • Presented positive pelareorep data in combination with Keytruda and anti-CD73 at the International Oncolytic Virus Conference 2018. The poster highlighted the effectiveness of pelareorep in combination with Keytruda and/or an anti-CD73 immunotherapy in prostate cancer cell lines.

Corporate Updates

  • Announced a share consolidation on the basis of 1 new common share for every 9.5 outstanding common shares.
  • Announced the listing of the company’s shares of common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market and commenced trading on June 1, 2018, under the symbol “ONCY”.
  • Closed an underwritten public share offering of 1,532,278 common shares at a purchase price of USD $5.83 for gross proceeds of approximately USD $8.9 million.
  • Expanded the clinical development team in San Diego, including Senior Medical Personnel.

Anticipated Milestones

  • Initiate a phase 2 window of opportunity study of pelareorep in combination with a checkpoint inhibitor and/or the standard of care in the neoadjuvant breast cancer setting in 2H 2018.
  • Initiate a phase 2 study in combination with Merck’s Keytruda in multiple myeloma in 2H 2018.
  • Initiate a phase 2 study in combination with Merck’s Keytruda in advanced pancreatic cancer in 2H 2018.
  • Data from window of opportunity study in mBC in 1H 2019.
  • Data from Keytruda combination study in multiple myeloma in 2H 2019.
  • Preliminary data from Keytruda combination study in advanced pancreatic cancer in 1H 2020.

Financial

  • At June 30, 2018, the company reported $18.7 million in cash and cash equivalents.
  • As at August 2, 2018, the company had an unlimited number of authorized common shares with 16,531,956 common shares issued and outstanding, 16,443,500 warrants exercisable into 1,730,894 common shares with a $9.025 strike price and 1,153,080 options and share units.

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

 
As at June 30,
2018
$
December 31,
2017
$
Assets    
Current assets    
Cash and cash equivalents 18,741,347   11,836,119  
Contract receivable   4,767,100  
Other receivables 89,714   37,726  
Prepaid expenses 1,489,212   1,176,063  
Total current assets 20,320,273   17,817,008  
Non-current assets    
Property and equipment 373,213   333,441  
Total non-current assets 373,213   333,441  
     
Total assets 20,693,486   18,150,449  
Liabilities And Shareholders’ Equity    
Current Liabilities    
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 2,996,438   3,684,023  
Contract liability 927,400   1,545,645  
Total current liabilities 3,923,838   5,229,668  
Non-current liabilities    
Contract liability 5,802,887   4,636,935  
Total non-current liabilities 5,802,887   4,636,935  
     
Total liabilities 9,726,725   9,866,603  
Shareholders’ equity    
Share capital
 Authorized: unlimited
 Issued:
  June 30, 2018 – 16,521,430 
  December 31, 2017 – 141,805,722 pre-consolidation
  December 31, 2017 – 14,926,918 post-consolidation
282,458,995   271,710,138  
Warrants 3,617,570   3,617,900  
Contributed surplus 27,710,089   27,028,238  
Accumulated other comprehensive income 508,380   373,730  
Accumulated deficit (303,328,273 ) (294,446,160 )
Total shareholders’ equity 10,966,761   8,283,846  
Total liabilities and equity 20,693,486   18,150,449  

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

 
  Three Month
Period Ending
June 30, 2018
$
Three Month
Period Ending
June 30, 2017
$
Six Month
Period Ending
June 30, 2018
$
Six Month
Period Ending
June 30, 2017
$
 
           
Expenses          
  Research and development 2,045,417   2,918,673   4,980,308   5,186,744  
  Operating 1,638,802   1,444,543   3,401,355   2,744,843  
Loss before the following (3,684,219 ) (4,363,216 ) (8,381,663 ) (7,931,587 )
  Interest 20,538   14,163   47,428   64,878  
Loss before income taxes (3,663,681 ) (4,349,053 ) (8,334,235 ) (7,866,709 )
  Income tax expense (547,758 ) (89 ) (547,878 ) (152 )
Net loss (4,211,439 ) (4,349,142 ) (8,882,113 ) (7,866,861 )
Other comprehensive income (loss) items that may be reclassified to net loss          
  Translation adjustment 64,029   (44,740 ) 134,650   (65,488 )
Net comprehensive loss (4,147,410 ) (4,393,882 ) (8,747,463 ) (7,932,349 )
Basic and diluted loss per common share (0.27 ) (0.32 ) (0.58 ) (0.60 )
Weighted average number of shares (basic and diluted) 15,406,944   13,405,220   15,191,457   13,086,393  

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

  Share Capital
$
Warrants
$
Contributed
Surplus

$
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income

$
Accumulated
Deficit

$
Total
$
As at December 31, 2016 262,321,825     26,643,044   554,060   (278,829,309 ) 10,689,620  
Net loss and other comprehensive loss       (65,488 ) (7,866,861 ) (7,932,349 )
Issued pursuant to “At the Market” agreement 668,648           668,648  
Issued pursuant to public offering 7,893,600   3,617,900         11,511,500  
Issued pursuant to stock option plan 461,823     (166,473 )     295,350  
Share based compensation     289,597       289,597  
Share issue costs (1,254,523 )         (1,254,523 )
As at June 30, 2017 270,091,373   3,617,900   26,766,168   488,572   (286,696,170 ) 14,267,843  
             
As at December 31, 2017 271,710,138   3,617,900   27,028,238   373,730   (294,446,160 ) 8,283,846  
Net loss and other comprehensive income       134,650   (8,882,113 ) (8,747,463 )
Issued pursuant to “At the Market” Agreement 553,650           553,650  
Issued pursuant to public offering 11,606,882           11,606,882  
Issued pursuant to stock option plan 38,269     (14,359 )     23,910  
Issued pursuant to warrant agreement 1,747   (330 )       1,417  
Share based compensation     696,210       696,210  
Share issue costs (1,451,691 )         (1,451,691 )
As at June 30, 2018 282,458,995   3,617,570   27,710,089   508,380   (303,328,273 ) 10,966,761  

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

  Three Month
Period Ending
June 30, 2018
$
Three Month
Period Ending
June 30, 2017
$
Six Month
Period Ending
June 30, 2018
$
Six Month
Period Ending
June 30, 2017
$
         
Operating Activities        
Net loss for the period (4,211,439 ) (4,349,142 ) (8,882,113 ) (7,866,861 )
Amortization – property and equipment 21,126   25,688   40,984   49,724  
Share based compensation 157,092   155,708   696,210   289,597  
Unrealized foreign exchange gain (97,832 ) (164,676 ) (102,345 ) (112,644 )
Net change in non-cash working capital 4,720,317   (216,906 ) 4,227,770   (854,552 )
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities 589,264   (4,549,328 ) (4,019,494 ) (8,494,736 )
Investing Activities        
Acquisition of property and equipment (37,443 ) (80,050 ) (80,062 ) (85,886 )
Redemption of short-term investments       2,088,800  
Cash (used in) provided by investing activities (37,443 ) (80,050 ) (80,062 ) 2,002,914  
Financing Activities        
Proceeds from “At the Market” equity distribution agreement   570,027   520,315   559,527  
Proceeds from public offering 10,188,526   10,366,098   10,188,526   10,366,098  
Proceeds from exercise of options 23,910   295,350   23,910   295,350  
Proceeds from exercise of warrants 1,417     1,417    
Cash provided by financing activities 10,213,853   11,231,475   10,734,168   11,220,975  
Increase in cash 10,765,674   6,602,097   6,634,612   4,729,153  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 7,745,255   10,102,393   11,836,119   12,034,282  
Impact of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents 230,418   (28,192 ) 270,616   (87,137 )
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period 18,741,347   16,676,298   18,741,347   16,676,298  

To view the Company’s Fiscal 2018 Second Quarter Consolidated Financial Statements, related Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, and Management’s Discussion and Analysis, please see the Company’s filings, which will be available at www.sedar.com, www.sec.gov and on Oncolytics’ website at http://www.oncolyticsbiotech.com/investor-centre/financials/.

About REOLYSIN/Pelareorep 
REOLYSIN, also known as pelareorep, is a non-pathogenic, proprietary isolate of the unmodified reovirus: a first-in-class intravenously delivered immuno-oncolytic virus for the treatment of solid tumors and hematological malignancies. The compound induces selective tumor lysis and promotes an inflamed tumor phenotype through innate and adaptive immune responses to treat a variety of cancers.

About Oncolytics Biotech Inc.
Oncolytics is a biotechnology company developing REOLYSIN®, also known as pelareorep, an intravenously delivered immuno-oncolytic virus. The compound induces selective tumor lysis and promotes an inflamed tumor phenotype — turning “cold” tumors “hot” — through innate and adaptive immune responses to treat a variety of cancers. Oncolytics’ clinical development program emphasizes three pillars: chemotherapy combinations to trigger selective tumor lysis and immuno-therapy and immune modulator (IMiD) combinations to produce innate and adaptive immune responses. Oncolytics is currently conducting and planning additional studies in combination with checkpoint inhibitors and targeted and IMiD therapies in solid and hematological malignancies, as it prepares for a phase 3 registration study in metastatic breast cancer. For further information, 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 and forward-looking information under applicable Canadian securities laws (such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information are collectively referred to herein as “forward-looking statements”). Forward-looking statements, including the Company’s belief as to the potential and mode of action of REOLYSIN, also known as pelareorep, as a cancer therapeutic; the collaboration between Merck and USC using pelareorep, including the  timing, enrollment and potential benefits to the Company thereof; 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 pelareorep as a cancer treatment, the success and timely completion of clinical studies and trials, the Company’s ability to successfully commercialize pelareorep, 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.

Company Contact
Michael Moore
Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
858-886-7813
mmoore@oncolytics.ca
 
Investor Relations
Robert Uhl
Westwicke Partners
858-356-5932
robert.uhl@westwicke.com
Media Contact
Jason Spark
Canale Communications
619-849-6005
jason@canalecomm.com

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