SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Form 6-K

Report of Foreign Private Issuer

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the month of March, 2005

Commission File Number 000-31062

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):   o

Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted solely to provide an attached annual report to security holders.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):   o

Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted to furnish a report or other document that the registrant foreign private issuer must furnish and make public under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the registrant is incorporated, domiciled or legally organized (the registrant’s “home country”), or under the rules of the home country exchange on which the registrant’s securities are traded, as long as the report or other document is not a press release, is not required to be and has not been distributed to the registrant’s security holders, and, if discussing a material event, has already been the subject of a Form 6-K submission or other Commission filing on EDGAR.

Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):   82 -             

Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

		210, 1167 Kensington Cr. N.W. Calgary, Alberta Canada T2N 1X7

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Oncolytics Biotech Inc. Reports Highlights and Financial Results for 2004

Calgary, AB, March 4, 2005 — Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (TSX:ONC, NASDAQ:ONCY) (“Oncolytics” or the “Company”) today reported its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2004.

Selected Highlights:

“During 2004, Oncolytics advanced the development of REOLYSIN® in a number of important areas,” said Dr. Brad Thompson, President and CEO of Oncolytics Biotech Inc. “We made progress in expanding our clinical trial program internationally, particularly in the United Kingdom, adding to our intellectual property portfolio and strengthening our financial resources to support our expanding clinical program.”

Oncolytics Biotech Inc.

BALANCE SHEETS

As at December 31

Oncolytics Biotech Inc.

STATEMENTS OF LOSS AND DEFICIT

For the periods ended December 31

Oncolytics Biotech Inc.

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

For the periods ended December 31

To view the Notes to the Company’s Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis, please see the Company’s 2004 Annual Filings which will be on www.sedar.com.

About Oncolytics Biotech Inc.
Oncolytics is a Calgary-based biotechnology company focused on the development of REOLYSIN®, its proprietary formulation of the human reovirus, as a potential cancer therapeutic. Oncolytics’ researchers have demonstrated that the reovirus is able to selectively kill cancer cells and, in vitro, kill human cancer cells that are derived from many types of cancer including breast, prostate, pancreatic and brain tumours, and have also demonstrated successful cancer treatment results in a number of animal models. Phase I clinical trial results have indicated that REOLYSIN® was well tolerated and that the reovirus demonstrated activity in tumours injected with REOLYSIN®.

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 belief as to the potential of REOLYSIN® as a cancer therapeutic; the Company’s expectations as to the success of its research and development programs in 2005 and beyond, the Company’s planned expansion, the value of the additional patents and intellectual property; the Company’s expectations related to the applications of the patented technology; the ability of the technology to strengthen the core technology; the Company’s expectations as to adequacy of its existing capital resources; the design, timing, success of planned clinical trial programs and the Company’s planned expansion of such programs; and other statements related to anticipated developments in the Company’s business and technologies 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® as a cancer treatment, the success and timely completion of clinical studies and trials, the Company’s ability to successfully commercialize REOLYSIN®, uncertainties related to the research and development of pharmaceuticals, uncertainties related to the regulatory process and general changes to the economic environment. 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

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