Oncolytics Biotech Inc. Completes Patient Enrolment in Two U.K. REOLYSIN(R) Combination Therapy Clinical Trials

- Company to Host Conference Call to Update Clinical Program -

Oncolytics Biotech Inc. ("Oncolytics") (TSX:ONC, NASDAQ:ONCY) announced today that it has completed patient enrolment in two U.K. clinical trials using REOLYSIN(R) in combination with chemotherapy or radiation.

The combination REOLYSIN(R) and docetaxel trial, (REO 010) was designed to evaluate the anti-tumour effects of systemic administration of REOLYSIN(R) in combination with docetaxel (Taxotere(R)) in patients with advanced cancers. The principal investigator is Professor Hardev Pandha of the Royal Surrey County Hospital, U.K.

The combination REOLYSIN(R) and radiation trial (REO 008) was designed to evaluate the anti-tumour effects of direct injection of REOLYSIN(R) in combination with low-dose radiation in patients with advanced cancers. The Principal Investigator for the trial is Dr. Kevin Harrington of the Targeted Therapy Laboratory, Cancer Research UK Centre for Cell and Molecular Biology at The Institute of Cancer Research and Honorary Consultant in Clinical Oncology at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust.

Conference Call Details

Dr. Brad Thompson, President and CEO of Oncolytics, will host a conference call and webcast on Friday, December 19, 2008 at 8:00 a.m. MT (10:00 a.m. ET) to update investors on the current and planned clinical trial program for REOLYSIN(R).

To access the conference call by telephone, dial 1-416-644-3415 or 1-800-732-9303. A live audio webcast will also be available at the following link: http://www.newswire.ca/en/webcast/viewEvent.cgi?eventID=2510860 or through the Company's website at www.oncolyticsbiotech.com. Please connect at least 15 minutes prior to the webcast to ensure adequate time for any software download that may be needed. A replay of the webcast will be available at www.oncolyticsbiotech.com and will also be available by telephone through December 26, 2008. To access the telephone replay, dial 1-416-640-1917 or 1-877-289-8525 and enter reservation number 21292813 followed by the number sign.

About Oncolytics Biotech Inc.

Oncolytics is a Calgary-based biotechnology company focused on the development of oncolytic viruses as potential cancer therapeutics. Oncolytics' clinical program includes a variety of Phase I/II and Phase II human trials using REOLYSIN(R), its proprietary formulation of the human reovirus, alone and in combination with radiation or chemotherapy. For further information about Oncolytics, 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. Forward-looking statements, including the Company's expectations related to the completed and ongoing clinical trials with REOLYSIN(R), and the Company's belief as to the potential of REOLYSIN(R) as a cancer therapeutic, involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause the Company's 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 REOLYSIN(R) as a cancer treatment, the tolerability of REOLYSIN(R) outside a controlled test, the success and timely completion of clinical studies and trials, the Company's ability to successfully commercialize REOLYSIN(R), uncertainties related to the research and development of pharmaceuticals and uncertainties related to the regulatory process. Investors should consult the Company's 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 to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws.

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SOURCE: Oncolytics Biotech Inc.

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