Access Pharmaceuticals Provides Strategic Update On Mucoadhesive Polymer Hydrogel Technology

NEW YORK, April 1, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- ACCESS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. (OTCBB: ACCP) provided investors with a strategic update on its programs and plans for its proprietary mucoadhesive hydrogel platform technology. Access' patented technology surrounds a unique aqueous pseudoplastic liquid with a defined viscosity range, which is beneficial to the treatment of disorders of mucosal tissue, and includes the ability to act as a delivery system for a variety of active agents, including drugs.

The mucoadhesive hydrogel technology is the basis for its product MuGard^® which is indicated for conditions of the oral mucosa, including oral mucositis, and Access Pharmaceuticals is expanding its potential application in other mucosal tissues including the esophagus, the lower intestinal tract and the vagina. The Company is exploring formulations with active agents that may include anesthetics, such as benzocaine, anti-fungal agents, anti-inflammatory drugs and medical foods and supplements. Combinations of Access' technology and active agents could take advantage of expedited regulatory pathways, such as the 505(b)(2) and 510(k) pathways, and offer extended patent protection for generic agents or those soon to lose patent protection.

"Access has recently filed for expanded patent protection of its mucoadhesive polymer hydrogel technology and is engaged with regulatory consultants and bodies on the identification of appropriate pathways for a number of MuGard^® follow-on products," stated Jeffrey B. Davis, President and CEO of Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. "The recently announced ProctiGard™ program, for radiation proctitis, is the first of a number of product programs that highlights the power of this drug delivery platform."

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 received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is marketed by AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in the United States, RHEI/Jian An 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.

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.

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
Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(212) 786-6208

SOURCE Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

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