Bioniche Life Sciences Inc., a research-based, technology-driven human and animal health biopharmaceutical company, announced that it has had an additional European patent granted by the European Patent Office (EPO) on its core mycobacterial cell wall technology.

The patent relates to the company's proprietary product, Mycobacterial Cell Wall-DNA Complex (MCC), which has been shown to act as an immune stimulant and a chemotherapeutic agent. The new patent is: "Treatment of Bladder Cancer by Mycobacterium phlei Cell Wall" (EP1054680B1), inventors Nigel C Phillips and Mario C. Filion.

"This latest patent further consolidates our intellectual property portfolio for the mycobacterial cell wall technology," noted Dr Nigel C. Phillips, chief scientific officer for Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. "Recognition of the unique, innovative activities of MCC by the EPO, and its application in the treatment of bladder cancer is a significant event in our developmental program for this technology." The patent covers 18 European countries, with a population of approximately 390 million. It is estimated that there are 136,000 new cases of bladder cancer diagnosed in Europe each year.

Graeme McRae, president & CEO of Bioniche Life Sciences Inc., stated, "Bioniche Life Sciences takes it intellectual property portfolio very seriously. We have made a significant investment in patent protection over the years to ensure protection of our core technology platforms, including MCC."

MCC - trademarked Urocidin - is moving into planned Phase III clinical studies for the treatment of bladder cancer in North America and Europe.

Bioniche's core mycobacterial cell wall technology platform 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.