Bioniche Life Sciences granted European patent

May 30 2005

Bioniche Life Sciences has announced that it has had another patent granted on its core technology: Mycobacterial Cell Wall-DNA Complex (MCC). The European Patent Organization (EPO) granted the patent: - "Composition and Method for Inducing Apoptosis in Prostate Cancer Cells" (EPO1165106)

"This patent provides protection for the use of mycobacterial DNA and Mycobacterial Cell Wall-DNA complex (MCC) as a means of inducing programmed cell death (apoptosis) in prostate cancer cells," noted Dr. Nigel C. Phillips, Chief Scientific Officer at Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. and patent co- inventor. "This technology, therefore, has application in the treatment of prostate cancer independent of the stage of the disease or of the hormone sensitivity of the cancer cells. The application fields for the Company's core mycobacterial cell wall technology platform now encompass immune stimulation, anticancer therapy, and the treatment of a range of inflammatory disorders. It also complements other technology platforms within the Company that are either commercialized or under development."

Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer among men in the United States, with about 240,000 new cases diagnosed annually in that country alone. Worldwide, prostate cancer ranks second in cancer incidence (680,000) and fourth in cancer mortality among men(1). "MCC could offer a positive alternative to current treatments, which often have limiting side effects," noted Dr. Mario C. Filion, Head of Biomedical Research at Bioniche Life Sciences Inc.

Graeme McRae, President & CEO of Bioniche Life Sciences Inc., stated, "The mycobacterial cell wall technology is the core of our product development pipeline. The latest formulation of the technology - MCC - is being targeted for the treatment of bladder cancer initially, with a Phase III clinical trial planned in North America and Europe. We have already conducted a Phase I clinical study for prostate cancer and plan to initiate further studies once the bladder cancer Phase III trial is underway."

The core mycobacterial cell wall technology platform at Bioniche comprises compositions with antiviral, immune adjuvant, and immune stimulatory activity, as well as chemotherapeutic activity against cancer cells. A number of compositions are commercialized for use in veterinary applications, and the company is actively developing compositions for use in a number of human applications.