Bioniche receives U.S. and Canadian approval for first of two canine oncology products

Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. (TSX: BNC) (ASX: BNC), a research-based, technology-driven Canadian biopharmaceutical company, today announced that the first of two canine oncology products has received approval by regulators in both the U.S. and Canada. Market launch activities are currently underway with an expectation to have product available in September, 2012 in Canada, followed by a U.S. launch before the end of the calendar year.

The product - Immunocidin^TM - is based on the Company's proprietary mycobacterial cell wall technology, the same platform from which its Phase III product for human bladder cancer (Urocidin^TM) was derived. Immunocidin^TM is indicated as an immunotherapy for the intratumoral treatment of mixed mammary tumor and mammary adenocarcinoma in dogs.

"We are pleased to be nearing market launch for the first of two important canine oncology products in a market where there are few registered veterinary products," said Andrew Grant, President, Bioniche Animal Health (global). "Canine cancer is the leading disease-related cause of death in dogs, with approximately one in four dying of cancer. Human chemotherapies are commonly used for treatment, but this requires special handling and the side effects can vastly diminish the dog's quality of life."