DALLAS, Jan. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ACCESS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. announced today that it was issued U.S. Patent No. 7,166,733 by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. This patent, entitled “O,O'-Amidomalonato and N,O-Amidomalonato Platinum Complexes” is one of a series of patents and patent applications owned by Access which provides intellectual property protection to ProLindac(TM) and related tumor-targeted platinum compounds. The patent broadens the Company’s intellectual property and with other patents extends the term until 2021.
“We are extremely pleased with the issuance of this patent,” said Mr. Stephen R. Seiler, Access’ President and Chief Executive Officer. “It is an important patent for Access because it is specific not just to the HPMA carrier in ProLindac(TM), but protects our proprietary chelating system and its application to other carrier and targeting systems. Increasing our intellectual property holdings is an important element for Access as we solidify our place in the cancer treatment industry and lay the groundwork for attracting potential partners in the long-term.”
About ProLindac(TM)
The Company’s lead compound, ProLindac(TM), is a novel dach platinum prodrug which has been shown to be active in a wide variety of solid tumors in both preclinical models and in human trials. The Company believes that ProLindac’s(TM) unique molecular design potentially could eliminate some of the toxic neurological side effects seen in currently marketed Dach platinums. The Company is currently enrolling patients in two Phase II clinical trials, one in ovarian cancer and one in head and neck cancer, and plans to initiate one or more additional Phase II trials, including one in colorectal cancer in 2007.
Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is an emerging biopharmaceutical company that develops and commercializes propriety products for the treatment and supportive care of cancer patients. Access’ products include ProLindac(TM), currently in Phase II clinical testing of cancer patients and MuGard(TM) for the treatment of patients with oral mucositis for which marketing authorization has been allowed by the FDA. The Company also has advanced drug delivery technologies including Cobalamin-mediated targeted delivery and oral drug delivery. For additional information on Access Pharmaceuticals, please visit our website at http://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, including statements relating to our intellectual property portfolio and the ability to protect our intellectual property with patents, the value of our products in the market, 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 the risks detailed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 and other reports filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
CONTACT: Stephen B. Thompson, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer ofAccess Pharmaceuticals, Inc., +1-214-905-5100; or investor relations,Donald C. Weinberger, or media, Alisa Steinberg, both of Wolfe AxelrodWeinberger LLC, +1-212-370-4500, for Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
