Access Pharmaceuticals Cobraxane™ Offers Enhanced Tumor Growth Inhibition In Tumor Models

NEW YORK, March 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- ACCESS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. (OTCBB: ACCP), an emerging biotechnology company, announced today that it is leveraging its proprietary CobaCyte™ drug delivery platform technology to create new formulations of active pharmaceutical agents. Access recently submitted an additional patent application to protect improvements in the technology and expand applications, and is actively seeking development partners globally. Access compared single doses of Cobraxane™, its proprietary nanoparticle formulation of commercially available protein-bound paclitaxel, with Abraxane® in a standard mouse tumor model. At a dose of Cobraxane™ which was half that of the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of the standard paclitaxel particles, Cobraxane™ demonstrated slightly better tumor growth inhibition than the MTD dose of standard paclitaxel particles. Cobraxane™, injected at the same dose as the MTD dose of standard paclitaxel particles, provided significantly better tumor growth inhibition than the MTD dose of standard paclitaxel particles. Tumor shrinkage was observed at the higher dose of Cobraxane™. Access believes the preclinical data observed is a strong indicator of potential clinical and commercial value of Cobraxane™.

"It is known that certain diseased cells, notably cancer, have an elevated demand for certain vitamins, including vitamin B12, making our Cobalamin platform technology compelling for reformulations of cancer-killing agents nearing the end of their patent life," stated Jeffrey B. Davis, President and CEO of Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. "As pharmaceutical companies seek ways to create new formulations for the active drugs, and extend their patent runway, we believe our CobaCyte™ platform technology can be the necessary enabling technology."

Access' worldwide-exclusive patented Cobalamin™ technology utilizes the body's natural vitamin B12 uptake mechanisms to facilitate absorption of pharmaceuticals and other active agents via a "Trojan horse" mechanism. Cobalamin transport can be amplified by the use of proprietary nanoparticles or polymers that can greatly amplify uptake. This technology platform provides Access with the ability to develop different formulations with improved benefits for various disease applications. The Company believes its Cobalamin drug delivery technology has broad application to proteins, small molecule drugs, hormones and potentially sRNAi therapeutics, and has recently accelerated its corporate partnering efforts around the technology. 

Abraxane® is a registered trademark of Celgene Corporation.

About Access: Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is an emerging biopharmaceutical company that develops and commercializes proprietary products for the treatment and supportive care of cancer patients. Access developed MuGard and is developing multiple follow-on products including ProctiGard™. Access also has other advanced drug delivery technologies including CobaCyte™-mediated targeted delivery and CobOral-oral drug delivery, its proprietary nanopolymer delivery technology based on the natural vitamin B12 uptake mechanism.  For additional information on Access Pharmaceuticals, please visit our website at www.accesspharma.com.

About MuGard:  MuGard^® Mucoadhesive Oral Wound Rinse is indicated for the management of oral mucositis/stomatitis (that may be caused by radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy) and all types of oral wounds (mouth sores and injuries), including aphthous ulcers/canker sores and traumatic ulcers, such as those caused by oral surgery or ill-fitting dentures or braces. MuGard is available by prescription only and is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients in the formulation. MuGard was launched in 2010 after receiving 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is marketed by AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in the United States, RHEI Pharmaceuticals in China, and Hanmi Pharmaceuticals in Korea. Clinical data on MuGard^®, entitled "Multi-Institutional, Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial to Assess the Efficacy of a Mucoadhesive Hydrogel (MuGard) in Mitigating Oral Mucositis Symptom in Patients being treated With Chemoradiation Therapy for Cancers of the Head and Neck," was recently published online at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cncr.28553/full.

This press release contains certain statements that are forward-looking within the meaning of Section 27a of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements include those relating to: our cash burn rate, clinical trial plans and timelines and clinical results for MuGard and Cobalamin, our ability to achieve clinical and commercial success and our ability to successfully develop marketed products. These statements are subject to numerous risks, including but not limited to Access' need to obtain additional financing in order to continue the clinical trial and operations and to the risks detailed in Access' Annual Reports on Form 10-K and other reports filed by Access with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Company and Media Contact:
Christine Berni
Director, Investor Relations
Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(212) 786-6208

SOURCE Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc.