BELLEVILLE, ON,
Oct. 15 /PRNewswire/ - Bioniche Life
Sciences Inc. (TSX: BNC), a research-based, technology driven
Canadian biopharmaceutical company, today announced that two of its
senior research scientists gave presentations at the Modern Vaccine
and Adjuvant Formulation Conference in Cannes, France this week.
Challenge Study Results for
EconicheTM
Dr. Dragan Rogan,
Chief Veterinary Scientific Officer at Bioniche Life Sciences Inc.,
presented a paper that he co-authored, "Vaccination with Type III
Secreted Proteins Leads to Decreased Shedding in Calves Following
Experimental Infection with Escherichia coli O157". The
other authors were Dr. Kevin Allen,
Dr. Brett Finlay, Dr. Andrew Potter and Dr. David Asper.
Dr. Rogan's presentation summarized the results
of a study of the Company's E. coli O157 vaccine in an
experimental infection (controlled challenge) model, whereby thirty
calves were immunized with the vaccine and commingled with thirty
calves that were administered a saline-adjuvant placebo. Calves
were vaccinated three times in a 42-day period, then were infected
with E. coli O157. Fecal shedding was monitored daily for 14
days. During this period, vaccinates were shown to have a mean log
shedding reduction of 1.4 (p=0.002). Researchers
concluded that vaccination significantly reduced the number of
animals shedding E. coli O157, as well as the number of
organisms shed. These data supported the full licensure of the
Company's E. coli O157 vaccine (trademarked
EconicheTM) by the Canadian Food
Inspection Agency (CFIA), as announced in October, 2008.
Immune Adjuvant Activity of Novel
Oligonucleotide Sequences
Dr. Nigel C.
Phillips, Senior Vice-President, Scientific Affairs and
Chief Scientific Officer at Bioniche Life Sciences Inc., gave a
presentation about the Company's oligonucleotide development
program and the latest oligonucleotide sequences that have been
shown to have immune adjuvant activity. His presentation was
co-authored by Mélanie Lehoux and Mario C.
Filion.
Dr. Phillips highlighted the fact that these
oligonucleotide sequences contain non-DNA-bases and, unlike other
oligonucleotide immune adjuvants, do not require chemical
modifications such as backbone protection or terminal modification.
The Company's sequences have demonstrated immune adjuvant activity
in animal models using hepatitis B surface antigen and H1N1
virions. These models have shown that they are capable of inducing
antiviral antibodies using very limited amounts of antigen and
short-term immunization protocols.
About the Oligonucleotide Technology
Platform
In 2000, Bioniche announced the discovery of a
new class of molecules with potential anticancer activity, referred
to by the Company under the trademark,
"OligomodulatorTM". 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. The Company has continued to develop
the Oligonucleotide technology platform in the areas of immune
stimulation and modulation.
About
EconicheTM
EconicheTM has been
developed by a strategic alliance formed in 2000 between the
University of British Columbia (UBC),
the Alberta Research Council (ARC), the University of Saskatchewan's Vaccine &
Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), and Bioniche, which holds
the rights for worldwide commercialization of the vaccine. The
vaccine prevents the E. coli O157 bacteria from attaching to
the intestines of vaccinated cattle, thereby reducing their
reproduction within the animal, and reducing the amount of bacteria
that can be released through cattle manure in the environment. More
than 30,000 cattle have been involved in clinical testing of the
vaccine, which is fully licensed in Canada. A U.S. conditional license is
pending.
About Bioniche Life Sciences Inc.
Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. is a research-based,
technology-driven Canadian biopharmaceutical company focused on the
discovery, development, manufacturing, and marketing of proprietary
products for human and animal health markets worldwide. The
fully-integrated company employs approximately 211 skilled
personnel and has three operating divisions: Human Health, Animal
Health, and Food Safety. The Company's primary goal is to develop
proprietary cancer therapies supported by revenues from marketed
products in human and animal health. For more information, please
visit www.Bioniche.com.
Except for historical information, this news
release may contain forward-looking statements that reflect the
Company's current expectation regarding future events. These
forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainties, which
may cause, but are not limited to, changing market conditions, the
successful and timely completion of clinical studies, the
establishment of corporate alliances, the impact of competitive
products and pricing, new product development, uncertainties
related to the regulatory approval process, and other risks
detailed from time to time in the Company's ongoing quarterly and
annual reporting.
SOURCE Bioniche Life Sciences Inc.
Copyright . 15 PR Newswire