CALGARY, Canada, June 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Oncolytics Biotech Inc. ("Oncolytics") (TSX:ONC, NASDAQ:ONCY) announced today that that it has started patient enrolment in a Phase II clinical trial using intravenous administration of REOLYSIN(R) in combination with paclitaxel and carboplatin in patients with advanced head and neck cancers. The principal investigator is Dr. Kevin Harrington of The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. This trial is a 14-patient, single arm, open-label, dose-targeted, non-randomized trial of REOLYSIN(R) given intravenously in combination with a standard dosage of paclitaxel and carboplatin. Eligible patients include those with advanced or metastatic head and neck cancers that are refractory to standard therapy or for which no curative standard therapy exists. The primary objective of the Phase II trial is to measure tumour responses and duration of response, and to describe any evidence of antitumour activity. The secondary objective is to determine the safety and tolerability of REOLYSIN(R) when administered in combination with paclitaxel and carboplatin to patients with advanced or metastatic head and neck cancer.

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(R), 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

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. Phase II combination REOLYSIN(R)/paclitaxel and carboplatin clinical trial, and the Company's belief as to the potential of REOLYSIN(R) 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(R) as a cancer treatment, the tolerability of REOLYSIN(R) outside a controlled test, the success and timely completion of clinical studies and trials, the Company's ability to successfully commercialize REOLYSIN(R), 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: Oncolytics Biotech, Inc. Cathy Ward, 210, 1167 Kensington Cr NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1X7, Tel: +1-(403)-670-7377, Fax: +1-(403)-283-0858, cathy.ward@oncolytics.ca; The Equicom Group, Nick Hurst, 325, 300 5th Ave. SW Calgary, Alberta, T2P 3C4, Tel: +1-(403)-538-4845, Fax: +1-(403)-237-6916, nhurst@equicomgroup.com; The Investor Relations Group, Erika Moran, 11 Stone St, 3rd Floor New York, NY 10004, Tel: +1-(212)-825-3210, Fax: +1-(212)-825-3229, emoran@investorrelationsgroup.com

For further information: Oncolytics Biotech, Inc. Cathy Ward, 210, 1167 Kensington Cr NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1X7, Tel: +1-(403)-670-7377, Fax: +1-(403)-283-0858, cathy.ward@oncolytics.ca; The Equicom Group, Nick Hurst, 325, 300 5th Ave. SW Calgary, Alberta, T2P 3C4, Tel: +1-(403)-538-4845, Fax: +1-(403)-237-6916, nhurst@equicomgroup.com; The Investor Relations Group, Erika Moran, 11 Stone St, 3rd Floor New York, NY 10004, Tel: +1-(212)-825-3210, Fax: +1-(212)-825-3229, emoran@investorrelationsgroup.com