Topic: How To Invest

Hi Pat: What do you think of Oncolytics Biotech Inc., symbol ONC on the TSX?

Article Excerpt

Oncolytics Biotech, $5.87, symbol ONC on Toronto (Shares outstanding: 71.2 million; Market cap: $418 million; www.oncolyticsbiotech.com), is a Calgary-based biotechnology company. Oncolytics is focused on developing oncolytic viruses (or viruses that infect cancer cells) as potential treatments for cancer. Oncolytics’ clinical program includes a variety of human trials, including a Phase III trial in head and neck cancers using Reolysin, its formulation of the human reovirus. Like all early-stage biotech companies, Oncolytics entails considerable risk. However, it holds cash of $42.9 million, and it’s using that cash at a rate of about only $18 million a year, so it has the funds to continue its clinical trials. Oncolytics Biotech is okay to hold, but only for highly aggressive investors. ..