Oncolytics Biotech® Reports Third Quarter 2022 Financial Results and Recent Operational Highlights

Clinical interim data reported earlier today from GOBLET trial's pancreatic cancer cohort show an objective response rate (ORR) nearly triple the average ORR seen in relevant historical control trials

Pipeline now provides multiple registration opportunities in breast and pancreatic cancer

$32.4 million in cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2022 provides projected runway through key milestones to the end of 2023

Management hosting conference call and webcast today at 8:30 a.m. ET

SAN DIEGO and CALGARY, AB, Nov. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Oncolytics Biotech^® Inc. (NASDAQ: ONCY) (TSX: ONC) today announced recent operational highlights and financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2022. All dollar amounts are expressed in Canadian currency unless otherwise noted.

"Our continued progress in breast cancer and the highly-promising pancreatic cancer data we reported earlier today have pelareorep moving confidently towards pivotal trials in both of these indications for which new treatment options are needed," said Dr. Matt Coffey, President and Chief Executive Officer of Oncolytics Biotech Inc. "In breast cancer, we remain on track to report an expansive dataset from our randomized BRACELET-1 trial in the first half of next year. This phase 2 trial was carefully designed to validate the statistically significant survival benefit provided by pelareorep in a prior phase 2 study, and its results are expected to inform the optimal design of a subsequent registrational trial. In pancreatic cancer, we plan to discuss our new data with regulators to enable the program's expeditious advancement into a pivotal study. With these core programs each representing a potential registration opportunity and distinct avenue for value creation, we believe we are entering a new phase in Oncolytics' evolution."

Third Quarter and Subsequent Highlights

Pancreatic Cancer Program

Reported interim data showing a 70% ORR in phase 1/2 GOBLET trial's pancreatic cancer cohort

An abstract published as part of the SITC Meeting, and highlighted in a separate press release issued earlier today, features data from the phase 1/2 GOBLET trial's cohort in first-line advanced/metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, one of the most difficult-to-treat human cancers. As of the abstract's data cutoff date (July 28, 2022), seven of ten evaluable patients had achieved a partial response following treatment with pelareorep in combination with atezolizumab and the chemotherapeutic agents gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel. An additional two patients achieved stable disease, leading to an ORR and clinical benefit rate of 70% and 90%, respectively. The 70% ORR reported as of the cutoff date is nearly triple the average ORR of approximately 25% reported in historical control trials evaluating the combination of gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel in pancreatic cancer^1-4. Together with data from prior clinical studies, these results suggest pelareorep synergizes with checkpoint inhibition and chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer and support Oncolytics' plan to advance into a registrational pancreatic cancer study pending discussions with regulatory authorities.

Breast Cancer Program

New AWARE-1 data further demonstrate pelareorep's immune-mediated mechanism of action

An abstract published earlier today as part of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) 37^th Annual Meeting features new data on the twenty HR+/HER2- breast cancer patients comprising the first two cohorts of the AWARE-1 study. Patients in these cohorts were treated with pelareorep and letrozole without (cohort 1) or with (cohort 2) Roche's anti-PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitor atezolizumab. Flow cytometry analyses of blood samples from these patients showed a statistically significant increase in anti-cancer NK cells on day 21 post-treatment in cohort 2 compared to cohort 1. In addition, cohort 2 patients showed higher levels of HLA-DR expression (a marker of T cell activation) in anti-cancer CD8+ T cells, and better maintained low levels of T cell exhaustion markers on day 21 compared to cohort 1 patients. Together with prior clinical data, these results further demonstrate pelareorep's immunologic mechanism of action and its potential to synergistically combine with a variety of drug classes.

Corporate Updates

Elected Jonathan Rigby to the Board of Directors

Mr. Rigby has over thirty years of pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry experience. He is currently the Group Chief Executive Officer of Revolo Biotherapeutics and previously co-founded Zogenix, Inc., a CNS-focused specialty pharmaceutical company that was acquired by UCB earlier this year in a transaction valued at up to approximately U.S. $1.9 billion.

Financial Highlights

• As of September 30, 2022, the Company reported $32.4 million in cash and cash equivalents.
• General and administrative expenses for the third quarter of 2022 were $2.4 million, compared to $2.9 million for the third quarter of 2021.
• Research and development expenses for the third quarter of 2022 were $3.7 million, compared to $3.3 million for the third quarter of 2021.
• The net loss for the third quarter of 2022 was $4.4 million, compared to a net loss of $4.9 million in the third quarter of 2021. The basic and diluted loss per share was $0.08 in the third quarter of 2022, compared to a basic and diluted loss per share of $0.09 in the third quarter of 2021.
• Net cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was $17.4 million, compared to $16.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021.

Anticipated Milestones and Catalysts

• Final AWARE-1 study data: Q4 2022
• Clinical data from Adlai Nortye's bridging trial in HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer patients: Q4 2022
• Overall response rate, progression-free survival, and evolving overall survival data from phase 2 BRACELET-1 metastatic breast cancer study: H1 2023

Webcast and Conference Call

Management will host a conference call for analysts and institutional investors at 8:30 a.m. ET today, November 7, 2022. To access the call, please dial (888) 664-6383 (North America) or (416) 764-8650 (International) and, if needed, provide confirmation number 4240-6541. A live webcast of the call will also be available by clicking here or on the Investor Relations page of Oncolytics' website (LINK) and will be archived for three months. A dial in replay will be available for one week and can be accessed by dialing (888) 390-0541 (North America) or (416) 764-8677 (International) and using replay code: 406-541#.

References

1.  Von Hoff D et al. N Engl J Med 2013; 369:1691-1703 DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1304369

2.  O'Reilly et al. Eur J Cancer. 2020 June; 132: 112–121. DOI:10.1016/j.ejca.2020.03.005

3.  Karasic et al. JAMA Oncol. 2019 Jul 1; 5(7):993-998. DOI: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2019.0684

4.  Tempero et al. Ann Oncol. 2021 May; 32(5):600-608. DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2021.01.070

About Oncolytics Biotech Inc.

Oncolytics is a biotechnology company developing pelareorep, an intravenously delivered immunotherapeutic agent. This compound induces anti-cancer immune responses and promotes an inflamed tumor phenotype -- turning "cold" tumors "hot" -- through innate and adaptive immune responses to treat a variety of cancers.

Pelareorep has demonstrated synergies with immune checkpoint inhibitors and may also be synergistic with other approved oncology treatments. Oncolytics is currently conducting and planning clinical trials evaluating pelareorep in combination with checkpoint inhibitors and targeted therapies in solid and hematological malignancies as it advances towards registration studies in metastatic breast cancer and pancreatic cancer. For further information, please visit: www.oncolyticsbiotech.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and forward-looking information under applicable Canadian securities laws (such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information are collectively referred to herein as "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include statements regarding Oncolytics' belief as to the potential, mode of action, and benefits of pelareorep as a cancer therapeutic; our belief that pelareorep is moving confidently towards pivotal trials in both breast cancer and pancreatic cancer; our belief that we remain on track to report additional data from our BRACELET-1 study and the anticipated timing thereof and our expectations related thereto; our plans to discuss our new data with regulators and the rationale therefor; our upcoming milestones and catalysts, including, the release of additional data from our AWARE-1 and BRACELET-1 studies and clinical data from Adlai Nortye's bridging trial, in each case the anticipated timing thereof, our plans to advance towards a registration study in metastatic breast cancer and pancreatic cancer; and other statements related to anticipated developments in Oncolytics' business and technologies. In any forward-looking statement in which Oncolytics expresses an expectation or belief as to future results, such expectations or beliefs are expressed in good faith and are believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the statement or expectation or belief will be achieved. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause Oncolytics' actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the availability of funds and resources to pursue research and development projects, the efficacy of pelareorep as a cancer treatment, the success and timely completion of clinical studies and trials, Oncolytics' ability to successfully commercialize pelareorep, uncertainties related to the research and development of pharmaceuticals, uncertainties related to the regulatory process and general changes to the economic environment. In particular, we may be impacted by business interruptions resulting from COVID-19 coronavirus, including operating, manufacturing supply chain, clinical trial and project development delays and disruptions, labour shortages, travel and shipping disruption, and shutdowns (including as a result of government regulation and prevention measures). It is unknown whether and how Oncolytics may be affected if the COVID-19 pandemic persists for an extended period of time. We may incur expenses or delays relating to such events outside of our control, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, operating results and financial condition.  Investors should consult Oncolytics' quarterly and annual filings with the Canadian and U.S. securities commissions for additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to the forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against placing undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws.