DALLAS, and NEW YORK, Sept. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- ACCESS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. (OTC Bulletin Board: ACCP), a biopharmaceutical company specializing in products for cancer and supportive care, announced today it has received its first commercial order for MuGard from BioScrip (Nasdaq: BIOS), its specialty distribution partner. BioScrip’s initial purchase order of MuGard, totaling over $700,000, will provide adequate inventory for its various distribution channels to support the Company’s first phase of its product launch for MuGard. Access Pharmaceuticals has inventory on hand and will begin shipping product to BioScrip immediately. MuGard is an FDA-approved, ready-to-use mucoadhesive oral wound rinse for the management of oral mucositis, a debilitating side effect of radiation and/or chemotherapy.
“After months preparing for the official North American MuGard launch, this commercial order represents a significant milestone as it marks Access’ first sales of MuGard in the US,” said Jeffrey Davis, CEO of Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. He continued, “With the help of our partners, especially BioScrip, we continue to broaden our reach within the medical community to further strengthen MuGard’s position as the optimal treatment option for oral mucositis currently on the market.”
“BioScrip and our MuGard-focused team have been great to work with, and we look forward to a close collaboration going forward,” stated Frank Jacobucci, VP Marketing & Sales at Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. “Together with iMedicor/DMS, we have sampled almost all of the initial 500 MuGard sample kits and are preparing for additional sampling efforts. Initial feedback from the in-the-field reps, clinicians and patients has been very positive, and it is clear from discussions that a product for oral mucositis, such as MuGard, addresses a very significant unmet clinical need.”
As previously announced, Access signed two distribution and marketing agreements in the US, one with BioScrip and one with iMedicor/DMS. BioScrip, a leader in comprehensive pharmacy services, provides nationwide distribution for MuGard with its extensive physician relationships, 30+ top metro BioScrip specialty pharmacies, mail distribution capability and diversified payor network. Access and its partners continue working with large oncology networks and key clinical sites to educate oncologists and radiation oncologists on MuGard and the benefit it provides patients undergoing radiation and chemotherapy. The Company indicated the initial feedback from clinicians and patients has been very positive, and it will update investors on the progress and feedback throughout the remainder of the year.
About MuGard:
MuGard is a novel; ready-to-use mucoadhesive oral wound rinse and coating for the management of oral mucositis, a debilitating side effect of many anticancer treatments. Up to 40% of all patients receiving chemotherapy develop moderate to severe mucositis, and almost all patients receiving radiotherapy for head and neck cancer and those undergoing stem cell transplantation develop mucositis. Updated clinical practice guidelines for the prevention and treatment of mucositis recommend the use of a preventive oral care regimen as part of routine supportive care along with a therapeutic oral care regimen if mucositis develops. The market for the treatment of oral mucositis is estimated to be in excess of $1 billion world-wide.
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’ products include ProLindac, currently in Phase II clinical testing of patients with ovarian cancer, and MuGard for the management of patients with mucositis. The company also has other advanced drug delivery technologies including Cobalamin-mediated targeted delivery and oral drug delivery, its proprietary nanopolymer delivery technology based on the natural vitamin B12 uptake mechanism and Thiarabine, a new generation nucleoside analog which has demonstrated both pre-clinical and clinical activity in certain cancers. 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 ProLindac, MuGard, Thiarabine and Cobalamin and other product candidates, 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 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.
Contacts: | ||
Christine Berni | Donald C. Weinberger/Diana Bittner (media) | |
Director of Investor Relations | Wolfe Axelrod Weinberger Assoc. LLC | |
Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | (212) 370-4500 | |
(212) 786-6208 | ||
SOURCE Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
