On November 5, 2015 Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (TSX:ONC, OTCQX:ONCY) ("Oncolytics" or the "Company") reported its financial results and operational highlights for the third quarter ended September 30, 2015 (Press release, Oncolytics Biotech, NOV 5, 2015, View Source [SID:1234507971]).

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"During the quarter, we announced exciting initial clinical data from our multiple myeloma study showing statistically significant increases in the production of caspase-3 and upregulation of PD-L1 along with an early objective response rate of 100%," said Dr. Brad Thompson, President and CEO of Oncolytics. "We also announced one and two-year survival data versus historical controls from our pancreatic (REO 017) cancer trial. This data is very often suggestive of broader immune system involvement which led us to file a US Phase 1b study in pancreatic adenocarcinoma; the first to examine REOLYSIN in combination with the checkpoint inhibitor KEYTRUDA."

Selected Highlights

Since July 1, 2015, selected highlights announced by the Company include:

Clinical Program

A poster presentation at the 15th International Myeloma Workshop titled "Combination Carfilzomib and the Viral Oncolytic Agent REOLYSIN in Patients with Relapsed Multiple Myeloma: A Pilot Study Investigating Viral Proliferation," highlighting data including 100% of patients (8 of 8) experiencing an objective response as measured by changes in blood monoclonal protein and significant increases in the production of caspase-3 (p=0.005) and upregulation of PD-L1 (p=0.005);

An oral presentation at the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) 16th World Conference on Lung Cancer titled "Oncolytic Reovirus in Combination with Paclitaxel/Carboplatin in NSCLC Patients with Ras Activated Malignancies, Long Term Results," covering updated results, including one- and two-year survival data, from the Company’s REO 016 Phase 2 study in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC);

Presentation of final data from a single arm clinical study examining the use of REOLYSIN in combination with gemcitabine in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer (REO 017), which showed an increase in median overall survival, as well as an approximate two-fold increase in one-year survival rates, and a five-fold increase in two-year survival rates when compared to gemcitabine therapy alone as seen in historical data;

Completion of enrollment in two randomized Phase 2 studies sponsored and conducted by the NCIC Clinical Trials Group; IND 211 is a study of REOLYSIN in combination with chemotherapy in patients with previously treated advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer and IND 209 is a study of REOLYSIN in combination with chemotherapy in patients with recurrent or metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer;

Subsequent to quarter end, confirmation that, following submission to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") for review, the Investigational New Drug Application containing the protocol titled "A Phase Ib study of pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA) in combination with REOLYSIN (pelareorep) and chemotherapy in patients with advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma", the Company’s first trial examining REOLYSIN in combination with a checkpoint inhibitor, was active; and

Financial

At September 30, 2015 the Company reported $30.0 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. At November 5, 2015, the Company had approximately $28.7 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, which is expected to provide sufficient funds to support several small early-stage immunotherapy combination studies as well as both a run-in and a registration study in muscle invasive bladder cancer.