Oncolytics Biotech Inc., a Calgary-based biotechnology company focused on the development of oncolytic viruses as potential cancer therapeutics, has been granted US patent 7,052,832 entitled "Methods for the Treatment of Cellular Proliferative Disorders." The claims describe methods of identifying the susceptibility of cells to reovirus infection.

"This patent provides coverage for methods of identifying patients that should have a high likelihood of response to reovirus treatment, by measuring Ras-MAP signaling through biopsies or other biological samples collected from those patients," said Dr Matt Coffey, chief scientific officer of Oncolytics. "This could be of importance in the future development of Reolysin."