Bioniche Life Sciences announces the issuance of MCC patents in Japan

-Japanese patent issuances facilitate commercialization of MCC in Japan-

Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. (TSX: BNC), a research-based, technology-driven Canadian biopharmaceutical company, today announced the issuance of a number of patents in Japan for its proprietary Mycobacterial Cell Wall-DNA Complex (MCC) composition. These patents have claims related to broad MCC compositions, pharmaceutical compositions and medicament compositions. The Japanese patent issuances have strengthened the international intellectual property portfolio of MCC technology.

Japanese Patent # 04335435 entitled, "Composition and Method for Regulating Cell Proliferation and Cell Death", was issued on July 3, 2009. Japanese patent # 4215429 entitled, "Hyaluronic Acid in the Treatment of Cancer", was issued on November 14, 2008 and covers composition claims related to combinations of hyaluronic acid and Mycobacterium phlei DNA (M-DNA), MCC or specified oligonucleotides. Japanese Patent # 4380922 entitled, "Chemotherapeutic Composition and Method", was issued on October 2, 2009. This patent's claims relate to medicament compositions of MCC or M-DNA and a chemotherapeutic agent for inhibiting the growth of animal or human cancer cells, including leukemia, lymphoma and melanoma.

"The issuance of MCC patents in Japan provides a firm foundation for commercializing MCC in Japan - first as a treatment for bladder cancer," said Graeme McRae, Chairman, President & CEO of Bioniche Life Sciences Inc.