BELLEVILLE, Ontario and CHADDS FORD, Pa., July 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. (TSX: BNC) and Endo Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ENDP) jointly announced today that Endo has licensed from Bioniche the exclusive rights to develop and market Urocidin(TM) in the U.S. with an option for global rights. Urocidin is a patented formulation of Mycobacterial Cell Wall-DNA Complex (MCC) developed by Bioniche for the treatment of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer that is currently undergoing Phase III clinical testing.

Under the agreement signed by both companies, Endo will pay Bioniche an up-front cash payment of $20M USD and the potential for up to $110M USD in additional payments linked to the achievement of future clinical, regulatory, and commercial milestones. In addition, Bioniche will manufacture the product and receive a transfer price for supply.

'We are excited about the opportunity to expand our portfolio in bladder cancer treatment and enhance our late stage development pipeline,' said David Holveck, president and chief executive officer of Endo Pharmaceuticals. 'In August Endo plans to launch Valstar(TM), for the treatment of bladder cancer. If successful in clinical development, Urocidin has the potential to extend and enhance our recent therapeutic expansion and strengthen the Valstar franchise.'

Graeme McRae, Chairman, President & CEO of Bioniche, added, 'Endo Pharmaceuticals represents the optimal development and commercialization partner for Bioniche, given its understanding of the bladder cancer market and breadth of pharmaceutical industry experience. We look forward to advancing the Urocidin development and commercialization program in collaboration with the Endo team. Equally, we are very excited about the potential returns to Bioniche and its shareholders following commercialization of Urocidin.'

Bladder Cancer and the Ongoing Phase III Clinical Program for Urocidin(TM)

In North America, bladder cancer is the fourth most common cancer in men and in the top ten for women. In the United States, approximately 70,000 patients are newly diagnosed with bladder cancer each year. In addition, the cancers of many previously-diagnosed patients remain unresolved, sometimes leading to cystectomy (bladder removal) or death. Approximately 70 percent of bladder cancer patients have the non-muscle-invasive form of bladder cancer at diagnosis and, on appropriate regulatory approvals, might be eligible for multiple treatments with Urocidin.

Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer is a form of bladder cancer localized in the surface layers of the bladder that has not yet spread into the deeper muscle layer. This form of bladder cancer is treated predominantly by urologists using surgical resection and intravesical infusion therapy. Urocidin is an intravesical infusion therapy, administered via trans-urethral catheter into the bladder.

The first of two Phase III U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved and Fast Track designated registration trials with Urocidin is nearing complete enrolment. In this trial, patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer whose cancer is specifically refractory (unresponsive) to current therapy are receiving Urocidin in an open label trial. Thirty-one urology centres in North America are participating in this trial and recruitment of 105 evaluable patients was completed in March, 2009.

Data from the full cohort of evaluable patients from this trial, coupled with additional safety information to be collected from a second registration trial, will be used to support regulatory submissions under the FDA's Accelerated Approval program.

Bioniche plans to conduct a second registration trial that will directly compare the efficacy and safety of Urocidin with current therapy in the first-line treatment of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. In September, 2007, Bioniche announced that an agreement had been reached with the FDA under the Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) procedure on the design of the trial, including its endpoints, data analysis and conduct. It provides assurance that, if the trial endpoints are met, they will serve as the basis for product approval under a Biologics Licensing Application (BLA). An SPA gives a clear pathway to registration of MCC when the trial endpoints are achieved. This trial received Fast Track designation by the FDA last year. With Endo's support, Bioniche will commence this multi-centre trial, setting up clinical trial centres immediately.

About Urocidin(TM)

Urocidin is a formulation of MCC, a sterile mycobacterial cell wall-DNA complex composition that has a dual mode of action: immune stimulation and direct anticancer activity. Urocidin is formulated for the treatment of bladder cancer, where it is administered by trans-urethral catheter directly into the bladder, coming into contact with immune system cells and bladder cancer cells. Industry Canada's Industrial Technologies Office (formerly Technology Partnerships Canada) has contributed to the development of Bioniche's mycobacterial cell wall technologies by means of a C$9.6 million loan that is recoupable from sales.

About Bioniche Life Sciences Inc.

Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. is a research-based, technology-driven Canadian biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, manufacturing, and marketing of proprietary products for human and animal health markets worldwide. The fully-integrated company employs approximately 200 skilled personnel and has three operating divisions: Human Health, Animal Health, and Food Safety. The Company's primary goal is to develop proprietary cancer therapies supported by revenues from marketed products in human and animal health. Bioniche has been named one of the Top 50 Best Small and Medium-Sized Employers in Canada for 2009. For more information, please visit www.Bioniche.com.

About Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Endo Pharmaceuticals is a specialty pharmaceutical company engaged in the research, development, sale and marketing of branded and generic prescription pharmaceuticals used to treat and manage pain, overactive bladder, prostate cancer and the early onset of puberty in children, or central precocious puberty (CPP). Its products include LIDODERM(R), a topical patch to relieve the pain of postherpetic neuralgia; PERCOCET(R) and PERCODAN(R) tablets for the relief of moderate-to-moderately severe pain; FROVA(R) tablets for the acute treatment of migraine attacks with or without aura in adults; OPANA(R) tablets for the relief of moderate-to-severe acute pain where the use of an opioid is appropriate; OPANA(R) ER tablets for the relief of moderate-to-severe pain in patients requiring continuous, around-the-clock opioid treatment for an extended period of time; and VOLTAREN(R) Gel, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug indicated for the relief of the pain of osteoarthritis of joints amenable to topical treatment such as those of the hands and the knees. Voltaren(R) Gel is owned and licensed by Novartis AG; SANCTURA(R) and its XR version for treatment of overactive bladder, VANTAS(R) for the palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer, and SUPPRELIN(R) LA for the treatment of early onset puberty in children. The company markets its branded pharmaceutical products to physicians in pain management, neurology, surgery, oncology, endocrinology and primary care. More information, including this and past press releases of Endo Pharmaceuticals, is available at www.endo.com.

Bioniche Forward-Looking Statements

Except for historical information, this news release may contain forward-looking statements that reflect the Company's current expectation regarding future events. These forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainties, which may cause, but are not limited to, changing market conditions, the successful and timely completion of clinical studies, the establishment of corporate alliances, the impact of competitive products and pricing, new product development, uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's ongoing quarterly and annual reporting.

Endo Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding, among other things, the company's financial position, results of operations, market position, product development and business strategy, as well as estimates of future net sales, future expenses, future net income and future earnings per share. Statements including words such as 'believes,' 'expects,' 'anticipates,' 'intends,' 'estimates,' 'plan,' 'will,' 'may,' 'intend,' 'guidance' or similar expressions are forward-looking statements. Because these statements reflect our current views, expectations and beliefs concerning future events, these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Investors should note that many factors could affect our future financial results and could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements contained in this press release. These factors include, but are not limited to those detailed from time to time in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our current reports on Form 8-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and annual reports on Form 10-K, particularly the discussion under the caption 'Item 1A, RISK FACTORS' in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 2009. The forward-looking statements in this press release are qualified by these risk factors. These are factors that, individually or in the aggregate, we think could cause our actual results to differ materially from expected and historical results. We assume no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

SOURCE Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc.