Oncolytics Biotech(R) Inc. Announces 2017 Year-End Results

CALGARY, AB and SAN DIEGO, CA — (Marketwired) — 03/09/18 — Oncolytics Biotech® Inc. (TSX: ONC)(OTCQX: ONCYF), currently developing REOLYSIN® (pelareorep), an intravenously delivered immuno-oncolytic virus creating an inflamed phenotype, today announced its financial results and operational highlights for the year ended December 31, 2017. All dollar amounts are expressed in Canadian currency unless otherwise noted.

“We view 2017 as a pivotal year for Oncolytics and one that positions us for a productive year ahead,” said Dr. Matt Coffey, President and CEO of Oncolytics Biotech. “Our IND 213 study in metastatic breast cancer, or mBC, generated compelling results and marked the first time that an oncolytic virus has demonstrated a statistically significant median overall survival advantage in a randomized clinical study. We received supportive regulatory feedback on our proposed registrational study design for pelareorep in HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer, the major genetic subgroup of mBC, from both the United States Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency. Looking forward, we are excited to initiate a phase 3 mBC registrational study later this year and also expand our development with highly focused phase 2 studies designed to further establish pelareorep as an immunotherapy and deliver near term clinical data. We plan to initiate three cost-effective, partner-sponsored phase 2 studies. These would include a basket study to generate efficacy data on pelareorep in combination with high profile checkpoint inhibitors in patients having specific genetic mutations across cancer types, and part two a trial using pelareorep in combination with pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA®) in patients with relapsed metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. We are also planning to initiate a window of opportunity study using pelareorep and the standard of care in a neoadjuvant setting for treatment naïve mBC patients, potentially broadening pelareorep’s treatment applicability to include first line treatment.”

Selected Highlights

Since January 1, 2017, selected highlights announced by the Company include:

Clinical Updates

  • Presented findings from IND 213, an open-label, randomized, phase 2 study of intravenously-administered pelareorep given in combination with paclitaxel versus paclitaxel alone in patients with advanced or metastatic breast cancer (mBC) at the American Association for Cancer Research meeting in April 2017. Results showed a statistically significant improvement in median overall survival (OS) from 10.4 months in the control arm to 17.4 months in the test arm.
  • Presented additional clinical data from IND 213 at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2017 Congress that demonstrated a doubling of overall survival benefit for patients with HR double-positive, HER2-negative mBC when treated with pelareorep/paclitaxel combination treatment versus paclitaxel alone.
  • Announced a favorable End-of-Phase 2 meeting with the FDA for pelareorep in combination with paclitaxel, for the treatment of hormone receptor positive, HER2 receptor negative (HR+/HER2-) mBC patients. The agency’s guidance proposed a single, 400 patient registration study to support a future Biologics License Application submission in the U.S.
    — Subsequently, increased to 450 patients to ensure the completion of the study with the planned evaluable population
  • Received a Final Advice Letter from the EMA suggesting that a single phase 3 study may be acceptable to form the basis of a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) in Europe.
  • Announced the launch of MUK eleven, a phase 1b trial studying pelareorep in combination with Celgene’s Imnovid® (pomalidomide) and Revlimid® (lenalidomide), as a rescue treatment in relapsing myeloma patients. Oncolytics treated the first patient in this trial in September 2017.
  • Presented the largest ever safety database for an oncolytic virus at the ESMO 2017 Congress that demonstrated pelareorep is safe and well tolerated when administered in combination with paclitaxel plus/minus carboplatin.
  • Announced that the FDA granted Fast Track designation for pelareorep for the treatment of mBC, based on the data from IND 213. However, our request for breakthrough therapy designation (BTD) in mBC was not approved at this time based on certain data requirements. The FDA provided guidance that the Company may re-apply for BTD once additional supportive information is available.

Corporate Updates

  • Entered into a USD $86.6 million regional licensing agreement with Adlai Nortye for pelareorep covering China, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan. Under the terms of the agreement, Oncolytics is eligible to receive upfront, licensing fee and milestone payments of USD $21.2 million to support our phase 3 registration study and is eligible to receive up to an additional USD $65.4 million upon achievement of clinical, regulatory and commercialization milestones.
  • Received shareholder approval for the consolidation of the Company’s common shares, which enables Oncolytics to meet requirements for listing on the NASDAQ Capital Market.
  • Closed an underwritten public share offering of 16,445,000 units at a purchase price of $0.70 for gross proceeds of approximately $11.5 million ($10.6 million net).
  • Established a Scientific Advisory Board focused on pelareorep’s registration study in mBC.
  • Appointed Oncolytics co-founder and long-serving senior executive Matt Coffey PhD, MBA, as President and CEO.
  • Appointed Andrew de Guttadauro as President of its US subsidiary, Oncolytics Biotech (U.S.) Inc. and Head of Global Business Development.

Anticipated Milestones

  • Initiate a phase 3 registration study of pelareorep in combination with paclitaxel, for the treatment HR+/HER2- mBC patients in Q3 2018.
  • Initiate a phase 2 partner-sponsored window of opportunity study of pelareorep in combination with standard of care therapy in the neoadjuvant setting in mBC in H2 2018.
  • Initiate a phase 2 partner-sponsored basket study to generate important biomarker and efficacy data of pelareorep in combination with checkpoint inhibitors in H2 2018.
  • Initiate part two of a phase 2 North-West University/Merck sponsored trial of pelareorep in combination with pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA®) in patients with relapsed metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas.
  • Re-list on the NASDAQ in 2Q 2018.

2017 Year-End Financial Results

  • At December 31, 2017, the Company reported $11.8 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments.
ONCOLYTICS BIOTECH INC.  
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION  
   
As at December 31,   2017

$
    2016

$
 

Assets
           
Current assets            
Cash and cash equivalents   11,836,119     12,034,282  
Short-term investments       2,088,800  
Contract receivable   4,767,100      
Other receivables   37,726     54,406  
Prepaid expenses   1,176,063     260,841  
Total current assets   17,817,008     14,438,329  
Non-current assets            
Property and equipment   333,441     319,955  
Total non-current assets   333,441     319,955  
             

Total assets
  18,150,449     14,758,284  

Liabilities And Shareholders’ Equity
           
Current Liabilities            
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities   3,684,023     4,068,664  
Contract liability   1,545,645      
Total current liabilities   5,229,668     4,068,664  
Non-current liabilities            
Contract liability   4,636,935      
Total non-current liabilities   4,636,935      
             

Total liabilities
  9,866,603     4,068,664  
Shareholders’ equity            
  Share capital            
  Authorized: unlimited            
  Issued:            
  December 31, 2017 – 141,805,722            
  December 31, 2016 – 121,258,222   271,710,138     262,321,825  
Warrants   3,617,900      
Contributed surplus   27,028,238     26,643,044  
Accumulated other comprehensive income   373,730     554,060  
Accumulated deficit   (294,446,160 )   (278,829,309 )

Total shareholders’ equity
  8,283,846     10,689,620  

Total liabilities and equity
  18,150,449     14,758,284  
             
ONCOLYTICS BIOTECH INC.  
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF LOSS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS  
   
For the years ending December 31,   2017

$
    2016

$
    2015

$
 
                   
Expenses                  
  Research and development   9,392,623     9,770,007     8,601,864  
  Operating   6,212,831     5,524,500     5,315,837  

Loss before the following
  (15,605,454 )   (15,294,507 )   (13,917,701 )
  Interest   130,101     163,902     197,859  

Loss before income taxes
  (15,475,353 )   (15,130,605 )   (13,719,842 )
  Income tax expense   (141,498 )   (9,374 )   (3,153 )

Net loss
  (15,616,851 )   (15,139,979 )   (13,722,995 )

Other comprehensive (loss) income items that may be

reclassified to net loss
                 
  Translation adjustment   (180,330 )   (206,918 )   480,935  

Net comprehensive loss
  (15,797,181 )   (15,346,897 )   (13,242,060 )

Basic and diluted loss per common share
  (0.12 )   (0.13 )   (0.12 )

Weighted average number of shares (basic and diluted)
  132,395,752     119,880,200     112,613,845  
                   
ONCOLYTICS BIOTECH INC. 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY 
    Share Capital

$
  Warrants

$
Contributed
Surplus

$
  Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income

$
  Accumulated
Deficit

$
  Total

$
As at December 31, 2014   237,657,056       25,848,429     280,043     (249,966,335 )   13,819,193  
                                   
Net loss and other comprehensive income             480,935     (13,722,995 )   (13,242,060 )
Issued pursuant to Share Purchase Agreement   4,371,687                   4,371,687  
Issued pursuant to “At the Market” Agreement   20,049,693                   20,049,693  
Share based compensation         429,537             429,537  
Share issue costs   (753,744 )                 (753,744 )
As at December 31, 2015   261,324,692       26,277,966     760,978     (263,689,330 )   24,674,306  
                                   
Net loss and other comprehensive loss             (206,918 )   (15,139,979 )   (15,346,897 )
Issued pursuant to incentive share award plan   41,000       (41,000 )            
Issue pursuant to “At the Market” Agreement   1,456,296                   1,456,296  
Share based compensation         406,078             406,078  
Share issue costs   (500,163 )                 (500,163 )
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             (180,330 )   (15,616,851 )   (15,797,181 )
Issued pursuant to stock option plan   536,949       (193,509 )           343,440  
Issued pursuant to “At the Market” Agreement   2,348,821                   2,348,821  
Issued pursuant to public offering   7,893,600     3,617,900               11,511,500  
Share based compensation         578,703             578,703  
Share issue costs   (1,391,057 )                 (1,391,057 )
As at December 31, 2017   271,710,138     3,617,900   27,028,238     373,730     (294,446,160 )   8,283,846  
                                   
ONCOLYTICS BIOTECH INC.  
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS  
   
For the years ending December 31,   2017

$
    2016

$
    2015

$
 
                   
Operating Activities                  
Net loss for the year   (15,616,851 )   (15,139,979 )   (13,722,995 )
Amortization – property and equipment   90,768     162,233     180,411  
Share based compensation   578,703     406,078     429,537  
Unrealized foreign exchange gain   (124,793 )   (139,810 )   (816,319 )
Net change in non-cash working capital   180,855     2,233,865     (1,105,464 )
Cash used in operating activities   (14,891,318 )   (12,477,613 )   (15,034,830 )
Investing Activities                  
Acquisition of property and equipment   (105,765 )   (23,527 )   (108,268 )
Redemption (purchase) of short-term investments   2,088,800     (27,823 )   (29,292 )
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities   1,983,035     (51,350 )   (137,560 )
Financing Activities                  
Proceeds from Share Purchase Agreement           4,305,396  
Proceeds from “At the Market” equity distribution agreement   2,103,166     956,133     19,362,240  
Proceeds from public offering   10,366,098          
Proceeds from exercise of stock options   343,440          
Cash provided by financing activities   12,812,704     956,133     23,667,636  
(Decrease) increase in cash   (95,579 )   (11,572,830 )   8,495,246  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year   12,034,282     24,016,275     14,152,825  
Impact of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents   (102,584 )   (409,163 )   1,368,204  

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year
  11,836,119     12,034,282     24,016,275  
                   

To view the Company’s Fiscal 2017 year end Consolidated Financial Statements, related Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, and Management’s Discussion and Analysis, please see the Company’s annual filings, which will be available under the Company’s profile at www.sedar.com and on Oncolytics’ investor relations website at https://ir.oncolyticsbiotech.com/reports.

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; immuno-therapy combinations to produce adaptive immune responses; and immune modulator (IMiD) combinations to facilitate innate immune responses. Oncolytics is currently planning its first registration study in metastatic breast cancer, as well as studies in combination with checkpoint inhibitors and targeted and IMiD therapies in solid and hematological malignancies. 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; 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
Mark Corbae
Canale Communications
619-849-5375
mark@canalecomm.com

Source: Oncolytics Biotech, Inc.