Bioniche granted patent for oligonucleotide technology

Bioniche Life Sciences has announced that it has been granted a European patent - EP1432450 - covering the composition and use of a novel oligonucleotide family for the treatment of cancer entitled: "Therapeutically Useful Triethyleneglycol Cholesteryl Oligonucleotides", inventors Dr. Nigel C. Phillips, Dr. Mario C. Filion, and Dr. Andrea Herrera-Gayol.

Dr. Nigel C. Phillips, Chief Scientific Officer for Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. stated, "This patent consolidates our oligonucleotide patent portfolio. These oligonucleotides constitute a new composition family that enhances our ability to develop effective treatments for oncology indications. Bioniche now has technology platforms based on mycobacterial cell walls, unmodified oligonucleotides and modified oligonucleotides that have immune stimulant and anticancer activity. Bioniche is in a position to develop effective treatments for cancer using these unique and complementary technology platforms."

Graeme McRae, President & CEO of Bioniche Life Sciences Inc., commented, "The oligonucleotide platform is another example of Bioniche's ability to develop novel technologies. We plan to develop this platform through additional pre-clinical research in the immunomodulatory and anti-cancer areas and seek opportunities to partner the technology for further development."

In 2000, Bioniche announced the discovery of a new class of molecules with potential anticancer activity, referred to by the Company under the trademark, "Oligomodulator(TM)". This new class of molecules with potential clinical anticancer activity and immune modulating properties is composed of short non- antisense DNA oligonucleotides that appear to possess a range of novel pharmacological activities.