To mark its 10th anniversary, Drug Discovery & Development magazine invited pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to reflect on the history and made predictions about future of the industry. Featured here are verbatim comments from this company.
Oncolytics Biotech Inc.
Headquarters
Calgary, Alberta
Years in Drug Research
10 years
Spokesperson
Brad Thompson, PhD, President and CEO, Oncolytics Biotech Inc.
Web site
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Small Molecule |
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Biological |
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Disease Research |
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Pre-clinical Studies |
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Target Identification |
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IND Submission |
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Target Validation |
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Drug Sample Manufacturing |
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Lead Identification |
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Clinical Trials |
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Early Safety Tests |
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NDA Submission |
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Lead Optimization |
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Post-marketing Studies |
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Drug Delivery |
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About the company/organization
Oncolytics Biotech Inc. is conducting a broad clinical trial program in the U.S. and the U.K. with the objective of developing REOLYSIN as a human cancer therapeutic. The current clinical program includes 12 Phase I/II or Phase II human trials examining REOLYSIN alone or in combination with radiation, chemotherapy, or immune modulation. This broad clinical program is designed to identify targets for late-stage registration trials with REOLYSIN. The current program is treating patients with a wide variety of advanced cancers including head & neck, sarcoma, non-small cell lung, melanoma and ovarian.
A 10-year perspective: Advances and roadblocks
Ten years ago, Oncolytics Biotech Inc. was formed to explore the oncolytic capability of the reovirus (REOLYSIN). Since then, the Company has advanced the product through extensive preclinical and toxicology programs, a broad Phase 1 program in Canada, the US and the UK and is currently testing the product in Phase 2 in the US and the UK. The Company plans to make pivotal clinical trial decisions by the end of 2008.
Roadblocks have included an initial resistance to the idea of an oncolytic virus and the pace of clinical development for a novel therapeutic. The Company has successfully cleared these hurdles, and the product has now moved into multiple Phase II trials. Pivotal trials are currently being planned for 2009.
Business/regulatory challenges for the next 10 years
Maintaining a high level of interest and awareness amongst medical/pharmaceutical/financial sectors.
Bold Prediction: Where will the company/organization be in 10 years?
Oncolytics will have successfully guided REOLYSIN through the clinical process to product approval. REOLYSIN will be added to virtually every treatment for cancer patients, whether as a first, second or third line therapy. Oncolytics will be continuing to study additional uses for REOLYSIN, while exploring other oncolytic viruses and opportunities in cancer therapy.
Bold Prediction: Where will the industry will be in 10 years?
The industry will have moved largely towards personalized medicine, where patients will undergo highly sophisticated testing to determine the best treatment options for their disease.
